Dubai Police rescue crane operator who had heart attack 65 metres above ground

Man was unloading containers from ships at Jebel Ali Port

Police carry a crane operator down on a stretcher after he had a heart attack while working 65m above ground. Courtesy: Dubai Police

Dubai Police rescued a crane operator who suffered a heart attack while working 65 metres above the ground.

Special tasks units, fire crews and paramedics were called to Jebel Ali after the man took ill and became stuck at the top of the gantry.

"Joined by first responders from Dubai Civil Defence, Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, and the Land Rescue team at Dubai Police, our teams leapt into action to save the man in distress," said Lt Col Yahya Muhammad, head of the Difficult Missions Section at Dubai Police's Department of Transport and Rescue.

"The operator was inside the crane unloading containers from ships at Jebel Ali Port when he fell ill. He was stuck about 65 metres above the ground, which is about 13 floors."

Rescuers had to climb up the crane and give first aid before finding a way to safely bring him down.

“The challenge was to carry the man down after the crane’s electric lift broke down, but technicians were able to repair the lift and operate it manually,” said Lt Col Muhammad.

The operator was taken to the first floor by lift then moved by stretcher to an ambulance which took him to a hospital, where he was successfully treated by medical staff.