Specialized rescuers with the Montreal fire department were called to the work site of the new Champlain Bridge Thursday afternoon to rescue a worker who fell about 10 feet into a tight retaining structure.
The worker, a welding inspector, fell from a ladder after losing his footing into a concrete support structure, located about 150 feet above the St. Lawrence river near the southern end of the new span.
One of the massive cranes used for the construction job was repurposed for the rescue effort — it lowered a cable to where the injured man was to help being him back up.
He, along with a member of the fire department, swung about 200 feet in the air for a few minutes before being lowered to the ground, and a waiting ambulance.
Officials say he suffered serious injuries, but was in stable condition.
He was conscious throughout his ordeal, and was able to communicate with rescuers.