Firefighters Call Crane Operator Rescue Textbook

The dramatic rescue of an injured high-rise crane operator in the Galleria area Friday afternoon was described as a textbook operation by relieved Houston Fire Department officials after the man was finally lowered 180 feet to safety. The winch from a Houston Fire Department ladder truck wasn't high enough, so they used the injured worker's own construction crane to haul up the litter. The rescue team tightly strapped the man into the basket to prevent any possible spinal injuries then began lowering him to the ground. The high-rise rescue operation also caused extensive rush hour traffic congestion in the area, officials said.