JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --
A Jacksonville Port Authority employee injured while working on an 110-foot tall crane Monday night is recovering after he was lowered to the ground by Jacksonville Fire-Rescue's Urban Search and Rescue unit using a rescue basket and ropes.
Port officials said the man suffered a severe back injury in an industrial accident during routine maintenance on the crane used to move containerized freight on and off ships at the Talleyrand marine terminal.
Channel 4 learned that something bumped his safety line while a crew of six were working on the crane. While he was injured, the safety line prevented him from falling to the ground.
It took nearly 90 minutes for rescuers to get him safely to the ground.
"We all know the risks involved with working on a seaport job, especially on these cranes. These are inherently dangerous pieces of equipment," JaxPort spokeswoman Nancy Rubin. "That's why there incredible amounts of safety procedures in place; there is incredible training that goes on for the folks who do work in and around these areas."
JFRD told Channel 4 they had also trained at JaxPort for rescues from the cranes, which made Monday night's effort come off smoothly.
"When we are on top of a tank or tower, we are tethered off," Lt. Alan Mallard said. "When we are packaging the patient we are tethered off and can't fall."
Packaging the patient means putting him on the board so he won't be harmed and lowering him safely.
Rescuers move slowly, gingerly and precisely so as not to further injure the worker or themselves.
"Adrenaline kicks in, but that is what we do," Mallard said. "They just stay calm with the tone of voice. That is why we train so much, and just muscle memory, we know what to do, what we have to do and when we have to do it. We just focus on that and accomplish our goal."
Added Rubin: "Everyone speaks the same language, everyone knows their way around the dock, everyone knows where to tie up and put the equipment and where these things are going to happen. We are very grateful to fire rescue for their quick response last night."
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