WARNING: This story may contain images that might be disturbing to some readers.
Firefighters rescued a person who scaled a crane at a construction site in the East Exchange District area on Thursday evening.
According to a media release, at 6:21 p.m., the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) and the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) responded to a call reporting an individual who had climbed high up on a crane near Waterfront Drive and James Avenue.
It is estimated the individual was nearly 35 meters from the ground.
Firefighters and police were raised up in an aerial ladder bucket to establish communication with the individual. A drone was also deployed.
A photojournalist with the NPF was at the scene when members of the WFPS technical rescue task force, equipped with specialized safety rope and rescue equipment, climbed the crane.
Following conversations with the individual, the technical rescue task force were able to approach the individual and secure them with harnesses and ropes that allowed for them to be safely lowered to the ground at approximately 7:45 p.m.
Paramedics assessed the individual and transported them to hospital in unstable condition. They were later upgraded to stable condition.
The United Firefighters of Winnipeg called the incident “an extremely dangerous and unpredictable rescue.”
Northern Plains Freelancer 