16-storey crane rescue

The only hints that something was not right were the emergency and support vehicles parked at the entrance of the construction site.

Residents in the HDB blocks nearby were mostly unaware that a dramatic rescue operation was taking place at Woodlands Drive 73 last night.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was alerted at about 5.30pm yesterday of a tower crane operator feeling unwell.

A spokesman told The New Paper on Sunday: "Upon SCDF arrival, we found the man too weak to descend from the operator's cabin - about 16-storey high - on his own.

"SCDF's Disaster Assistance And Rescue Team (Dart) gained access to the man by climbing the tower ladder."

When TNPS reached the scene at about 7.30pm, the rescue operation was still ongoing at the top of the tower crane.

SECURE

Three Dart officers were working to secure the man with safety lines and harness.

When they had successfully secured him onto a stretcher, an officer slowly descended with the man.

The SCDF spokesman said: "The rescue operation had to be conducted cautiously as it was drizzling and dark. The whole operation lasted about 90 minutes."

SCDF paramedics at the site were seen rendering medical assistance to the man, who was later taken to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital.

This article was first published on Nov 22, 2015.
Get The New Paper for more stories.