Rescue at 130 feet: Man on giant crane helped by Norfolk fire crew

A man had to be rescued from more than 100 feet in the air Thursday morning in Norfolk after being injured while fixing a crane.

Norfolk Fire-Rescue responded to Norfolk International Terminal in the 1600 block of Baker Street at 8:48 a.m. after learning of an injury on a crane. The man was 130 feet up and inside the crane doing maintenance when he was hurt.

This high altitude required NFR’s Technical Rescue team to lower him down in a Stokes basket, a stretcher designed to keep the injured person stable while being lifted or lowered, using high angle ropes — and a cable from the crane itself.

The man’s injuries are not considered life-threatening. An NFR spokesperson was unable to confirm who was the man’s employer.

It’s unclear how the man was injured.

Gavin Stone, 757-712-4806, gavin.stone@virginiamedia.com