Calgary firefighters rescued a crane operator who suffered a medical emergency at a downtown construction site Wednesday morning.

The incident occurred around 9 a.m. in the 200 block of 8 Avenue SE. Fire crews arrived to find the operator unable to descend from a 50-metre, 16-storey high tower crane.

A firefighter climbed the crane to assess the patient while others prepared specialized equipment. The team determined the operator needed help and set up a rope system anchored at the crane’s top.

The operator was secured in a harness and lowered safely to the ground with the help of a rescuer. Paramedics transferred the patient to an ambulance.

Fire crews later dismantled the rope system and brought the equipment back down.

See Full Page