24.01.2008

Harness saves crane operator

A crane operator working on a new Geology and Geophysics building at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City slipped and fell some 25 metres up the tower of his crane this morning, he was saved by his harness.
Please register to see all images

The man is lowered with ropes having been strapped to a board

The 46-year-old John McHugh was climbing up to the cab of his tower crane and was only three metres from the top, when his feet slipped on the icy ladder, causing him to fall around two metres before his lanyard caught him. He slammed into the cranes tower hitting his head. His colleagues quickly pulled him up onto the platform just below the cab and waited for the emergency services to arrive.
Please register to see all images

The crane half way through the rescue

As the McHught was complaining of back pain, fire fighters lowered him to the ground using ropes and pulleys, having trussed him to a special harness with half backboard support. They had considered using a fire ladder/platform for the rescue but decided it would be too difficult.

He was taken to University Hospital and was later reported to be in good condition. The entire rescue operation took around an hour.