On Saturday, March 11, at 9:54 in the morning, Wilmington Fire Department (WFD) units were dispatched to 70 Gist Road at the Port of Wilmington for a CPR in progress call according to WFD Spokesman Captain Matthew Marsella.
Marsella said Wilmington Battalion 1 responded and was notified by dispatch that the civilian in cardiac arrest was located on a mobile container crane approximately 80 feet in the air.
Squad 4 personnel donned high-angle rescue harnesses and ascended the crane with members of Engine 2 who verified the cardiac arrest status of the patient and relieved bystanders who were performing CPR on the patient.
Marsella said paramedics also responded and began advanced interventions. Crews operated in less than a three-foot-wide space and continued CPR for over an hour before the patient was pronounced deceased.
Ladder 2 and Ladder 1 were utilized as high point anchors and ropes were used to lower the victim from the crane to the ground via a stokes basket.
Command placed the situation under control and the scene was turned over to Wilmington Police for
investigation.
Photos: Wilmington Fire Department