Central Jackson County firefighters came to the aid of a worker suffering from heat exhaustion on top of a water tower under construction.
Crews were called to Minter and Ryan roads in Grain Valley at about 2 p.m. Wednesday.
Authorities said that the man was working on top of the tower when the heat got to him. The man was dizzy and was unable to get down from the tower without assistance.
Firefighters climbed to the top of the tower and used ropes, pulleys and a bucket to help the man down, a process that took about two hours. He was taken to a Kansas City hospital.
KMBC's Chris Nagus reported that the man is a construction worker from Mississippi. Rescuers said he was calm and was able to talk.
"We had a nice conversation, just had to ride 100 feet down, or whatever it was," said Ken Scofield, with the Central Jackson County Tactical Unit. "It was the first call I've done like this. I've done training over the years, but the first call like this."
Firefighters said the temperature on top of the tower was about 125 degrees.
A heat advisory is in effect until Thursday evening.
Heat Survival Tips
For tips on preventing heat-related illnesses, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Web site.
E-Mail: Contact Chris Nagus
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