Workers Rescued From Oregon Crane Elevator

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Two people who were trapped inside a crane elevator 80 feet in the air were rescued by Portland firefighters today. The two workers at Terminal Six on Marine Drive became trapped in a crane designed to transport cargo containers from ship to shore. Winds were gusting at about 40 mph at the time, causing an electrical wire to loosen and short out the elevator. The workers were stranded for about 30 minutes while Portland fire crews used an aerial ladder to reach them.

Source

March 10, 2011

PORTLAND, Ore. --

Two people who were trapped inside a crane elevator 80 feet in the air were rescued by Portland firefighters today.

The two workers at Terminal Six on Marine Drive became trapped in a crane designed to transport cargo containers from ship to shore.

Winds were gusting at about 40 mph at the time, causing an electrical wire to loosen and short out the elevator.

The workers were stranded for about 30 minutes while Portland fire crews used an aerial ladder to reach them.

The crane was 150 feet tall and the ladder only extends to 100 feet.

"Fortunately, we were able to reach the workers at the 80 foot mark, making this rescue less complicated than it could have been," said Portland Fire and Rescue battalion chief Tom Williams.