A worker performing maintenance on a 130-foot-tall gas station sign in Wilmington, Ill., ended up stranded inside the sign for hours. Photo courtesy of the Wilmington Fire Protection District
July 24 (UPI) — A worker performing maintenance on a 130-foot-tall gas station sign in Illinois ended up stranded inside the sign for hours.
The Wilmington Fire Protection District said the worker became stranded inside the sign on Lorenzo Road, off Interstate 55 in Wilmington, when his lift malfunctioned about 11 a.m. Tuesday.
Firefighters were unable to use ladders to reach the man, as they have a maximum length of 100 feet.
Authorities used a drone to keep in contact with the worker, who gave a thumbs-up to a news helicopter.
A replacement boom lift was brought in from Joliet under Illinois State Police escort.
The man was safely lowered to the ground just before 4 p.m.
The worker, who declined medical treatment, was not seriously injured and is expected to be OK, firefighters said.