A construction crew in Halifax had a surprise Friday morning when they got to work.
They found a man in his twenties who was unresponsive and was locked in the cabin on top of a 30 meter high construction crane.
The man believed to be drunk had fallen asleep after boarding the crane overnight on Joseph Howe Drive, a busy stretch of road that linked the Armdale roundabout and the Bedford Highway.
Brad Connors, district manager for Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency, said the construction crew called 911 at around 7:15 a.m. after the crane operator tried unsuccessfully to wake the man.
“[This situation was] very dangerous, “said Connors.” Construction crews are trained in climbing techniques and safety procedures and how to operate the crane itself … there are many dangers that civilians are not trained for. “
The man was unresponsive when he was discovered trapped in the cabin of this crane. (Pat Callaghan / CBC)
Rescue technicians were sent to the scene of the accident and were able to wake the man.
When they found he didn’t need immediate medical attention, they made a plan to get him safely back to the ground.
The man was placed in a harness with ropes at anchor points of the crane and managed to dismount himself while rescue workers were monitored from above and below.
“Our rescue technicians did a fantastic job,” said Connors.
If the man hadn’t been able to climb down on his own, the technicians could have put him in a basket or harness and handcuffed him to their own bodies.
No charges expected, police say
Halifax Regional Police said they spoke to the man and no charges are currently expected.
“[This was the] Best case scenario for our members, for their safety and of course for the person who decided to climb up there, “said Connors.” So much could have gone wrong.
For anyone else hoping to see the city from above, Connors suggested going to Citadel Hill and checking the view in a safe way.
