Palm Coast, FL - A contractor working on Palm Coast's main water tower was rescued by firefighters on Wednesday afternoon after he suffered from possible heat exhaustion.
Chris Young of Georgia, who's an employee of the contractor Utility Services based in Perry, GA, was doing maintenance work along with two co-workers on the mixer in the bowl of the 150-foot tall water tower, which is near the Lowe's off of I-95 near the Palm Coast Pkwy. interchange. When young became ill his co-workers called 911.
Several units from both the Palm Coast Fire Department and Flagler County Fire Rescue responded to the scene. Firefighters trained in high-angle rescue took the lead in the operation. Eight firefighters went up into the inside of the water tower to provide medical treatment and help make sure Young was hydrated.
Once they deemed it safe they started carrying Young down the ladder with a rescue harness. It took about 30 minutes to bring him down through the confined space inside of the water tower. He safely reached the base of the tower at around 4:42 PM, about two and a half hours after the first Palm Coast engine got to the scene (2:11 PM). Young was immediately transported to the hospital for treatment.
Crews responding included Palm Coast Fire Engines 21 and 25, Battalions 20 and 23, Ops 21 and Technical Rescue 2, and Flagler County Fire Rescue Engine 92, the Light Technical Rescue Team, Rescues 92 and 21, Battalion 93, Chief 1 and Chief 3.
It was in the high 90's in Palm Coast on Wednesday afternoon, and firefighters say heat-related emergencies like heat exhaustion and even heat stroke are common during the summer in Florida. They recommend you stay hydrated, monitor your time outdoors, avoid going into attics or other confined spaces that are hot, and if you get light headed or feel fatigue/lethargy, get inside an air-conditioned building and hydrate as quickly as possible. If you don't feel better soon, seek medical attention.
Photo courtesy the City of Palm Coast.
Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.
