Two workers were injured Thursday when bricks fell from FAR Residence Hall’s wall while they were stranded on a malfunctioning suspended sky platform outside the building’s ninth floor. The Urbana Fire Department rescued both workers, who were transported to the hospital by Carle Arrow Ambulance.
According to a news release from the Urbana Fire Department, just before 3 p.m. Thursday, Engine 254, stationed at the University, responded to what firefighters believed was a routine medical call. Instead, they arrived at a “much more serious situation”: Two construction workers stranded on a suspended sky platform nine floors off the ground. After “recognizing the complexity and urgency of the incident,” the crew requested backup from Ladder Truck 261, additional engines and rope rescue personnel.
“Firefighters quickly ascended to the roof, and Ladder 261 used its 100-foot aerial ladder to make verbal contact with the workers,” the press release said. “Firefighters rappelled from the rooftop to reach the victims on the inoperable platform and began medical care. At the same time, a 135-foot sky lift was carefully positioned, allowing firefighters to access victims on the platform, transfer the victims to the lift, and lower each victim safely to the ground.”
The victims were placed in neck braces and taken on stretchers to an ambulance for further medical care. Approximately 25 Urbana Fire Department personnel responded to the scene.
The rescue was conducted in “close coordination” with Carle EMS Command Staff, the Carle EMS Medical Director, the University of Illinois Department of Safety, U of I’s Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians (SPRAT Team) and University of Illinois Police.
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“We extend our sincere appreciation to all partnering agencies and on-site construction teams whose collaboration and support were essential to the success of this operation,” the press release said.
