Firefighters do Acrobatic Aerial Rescue of Worker From Inside Water Tank Construction Site in Mentone

Redlands and San Bernardino County firefighters used a crane and climbing gear to do an acrobatic aerial rescue of an injured worker from inside a water tank under construction next to Highway 38 in Mentone, a fire chief said Wednesday.

The call for help came just after 12 noon Tuesday July 9 in the area of Julian Drive and the 38, east of Greenspot Market's World Famous Beef Jerky, according to Redlands fire Chief Jeff Frazier.

"A worker, inside of a water tank that was under construction, was struck in the head by a piece of scaffolding causing an injury to his head," Frazier said.

Firefighters worked with the crane operator to get the worker out of the tank, Frazier said.

The sides of the water tank were 30 to 40 feet high, and there were mobile lifts already in place that allowed five firefighters to get inside the tank to work on the injured man, Redlands fire Capt. Terry Welsh said.

They used a stainless steel stokes litter pre-rigged for airlift or other aerial rescue to get the man out, and a firefighter rode with the patient wearing class 1 safety harness.

The crane operator was key in the rescue, Welsh said.

The injured worker, who was not identified, was taken to Loma Linda University Medical Center for evaluation and treatment. County firefighters came from Station 9 in Mentone, Welsh said.

Redlands police and Cal OSHA were investigating, Frazier said.