Emergency services called after crane fall
Specialist rescue crews sucessfully freed a crane driver who was trapped 50 storeys high after he fell inside the crane. The man sustained head and back injuries but is in a stable condition. SEE THE VIDEO.
VIC News
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Rescue crews have sucessfully freed a crane driver who had fallen inside the crane 50 storeys high.
The man in his 60’s sustained head and back injuries which required him to be placed into a strecher and lowered to safety by MFB’s specialist high angle rescue team (HART).
Work came to a halt at the Melbourne Square construction site as crews delicately tried to remove the paitent.
Paramedics confirmed they were called to the Kavanagh St worksite about 6.45am.
Operational Commander Rick Gili said MFB got a call to assist paramedics to retrieve the male patient who was operating the crane.
“A worker which had fallen down a vertical ladder, fallen 2-3m down the base of a crane,” Commander Gili said.
SOUTHBANK: A rescue mission is underway. The site is closed off to the public. Police have just arrived. Dozens of hi-vis workers are standing watching the crane. @theheraldsun pic.twitter.com/3PlF3zIpmX
— Brianna Travers (@briannatravers) November 11, 2019
“Ambulance Victoria had trouble getting him out from the confines of the crane.
“It is extremely difficult. It is wet and slippery up there, it’s a long way up.”
The man was put in a stretcher and then taken down what is known as a dog box.
“The dog box sits up there in case of emergencies,” Commander Gili said.
“He was quite agitated, rightfully so. It’s a long way up there.
“He was very thankful.
“Where he fell was roughly 63 storeys up.”
The MFB said they had responded to “a few of these jobs” where they have needed to assist people from high areas like this.
“It could have been a lot worse,” Commander Gili said.
The man has been taken to The Alfred hospital in a stable condition.
Worksafe will run an investigation.
A delicate operation is underway at Southbank after a man suffered head injuries in a workplace accident. MFB & paramedics working to bring the man down @10NewsFirstMelb @10Daily pic.twitter.com/S1OeYjJIuc
— Jayde Cotic (@JaydeCotic) November 11, 2019