Hurt workers rescued from Urbana high rise

URBANA, Ill. (WAND) - The Urbana Fire Department rescued two hurt workers from a high-rise building Thursday afternoon.

UPD was called to the Florida Avenue Residence Hall at 1001 College Court for two injured workers who were stranded nine stories up.

At 2:52 p.m., firefighters stationed on the University of Illinois campus were called out for a routine medical call. But when they got there, they realized the situation was much more serious. The workers were stranded on a suspended sky platform on the building's ninth floor.

Masonry or tuckpointing work has been going on at the building. While working on a sky platform, a section of the brick fell on the workers injuring them, as well as making the sky lift damaged and inoperable.

More firefighters and a ladder truck and rope rescue personnel were requested.

Working with the University of Illinois and on-site contractors, firefighters were able to come up with a plan.

Firefighters rappelled from the roof to reach the victims on the platform and give medical care. A 135-foot sky lift was positioned, allowing firefighters to get to the victims on the platform, transfer them to the lift, and lower them to safety. Both victims were taken to the hospital by ambulance.

They suffered non-life-threatening injuries.