Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Thursday, October 29, 2015
(ZIONSVILLE) - A worker was injured after falling inside a water tower on the Zionsville High School property Tuesday.
Rescue crews from the Indianapolis Fire Department Rope Rescue Team were dispatched to get the male victim, who reportedly suffered an injured leg after falling 40 feet inside the tower.
The man, 33-year-old Todd Pyles of Indianapolis, was performing routine maintenance inside the empty tower when he fell. He was working as a subcontractor for Citizens Energy Group.
Firefighters say Pyles fell to the bottom of the tank around 3:30 p.m and radioed for help. He said he slipped while climbing down a ladder and while his injuries were not life-threatening, they prevented him from getting himself out.
"This is a once-in-a-decade kind of rescue. We don't get many of these - and thankfully we don't - because this is a very detailed type of operation," said IFD Capt. Rita Reith.
Firefighters were able to lower the injured man to the ground around 8:25 p.m. Tuesday, more than three hours after they were dispatched. They had to rig a rope to lift Pyles from inside the tower, then used a second system to lower him 150 feet to the ground.
"It felt like it took a long time, but the important thing is that they took their time to make it happen safely, because it's not a competition - we're not in any hurry - we just want to get everybody to the ground," Reith said.
Pyles was alert and talking at the scene. He was taken to St. Vincent Hospital in good condition. One of his co-workers assisted in the rescue.
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.