Video: Men Tossed Like Rag Dolls at Top of Tower as High Winds Catch Their Window-Washing Lift
They say there are no atheists in foxholes. I cannot test this theory, having never been in a foxhole. I can tell you this, though: I wouldn’t be an atheist if I were tossed about on the side of the tallest building in Oklahoma.
According to The Oklahoman, firefighters ended up rescuing two window washers who were tossed around like rag dolls atop the Devon Tower in Oklahoma City on Wednesday.
“Benny Fulkerson, spokesman for the Oklahoma City Fire Department, said it was ‘a very tense and scary situation’ before firefighters rescued the workers by lowering ropes from the roof,” The Oklahoman reported.
“The window washers secured the ropes to the basket, which stabilized the platform before the men were rescued.”
However, prior to the rescue, there were truly frightening moments on top of the building.
Here’s the hair-raising video:
#BREAKING: This is TERRIFYING. Two window washers stuck at the top of the Devon Tower, swinging. Fire crews are attempting to rescue them. This video from Sky 5…. @koconews pic.twitter.com/WepdrS0aHe
— Jason Hackett (@KOCOJason) May 15, 2019
“It took fire crews about 45 minutes to rescue the two men after assessing the situation and coming up with different plans to bring the men to safety,” The Oklahoman reported.
“One of the window washers may have had a minor injury to his shoulder, but Fulkerson said both men refused further treatment after paramedics evaluated them on scene.
“Deputy Chief Mike Walker described one of the workers as ‘excited’ while firefighters communicated with the two men.”
“They were on a ride that no one would want to experience, to say the least,” Fulkerson said, according to KOCO-TV.
To say the least, yes.
“Two contract window washers were rescued by the Oklahoma City Fire Department Wednesday morning after the platform, suspended from the rooftop crane at Devon Tower, malfunctioned more than 800 feet above Sheridan Avenue,” a statement from Devon Energy, owners of the Devon Tower, read.
“We’re thankful for the safety of everyone involved in this incident and rescue, and we’re particularly appreciative of the response by the Oklahoma City Police and Fire Departments,” Devon Energy president and CEO Dave Hager said. “We’re also pleased with the quick actions of our Corporate Security and Incident Management teams.”
Window washing is a harrowing profession. Even beyond that, these men were thrown about by high winds. By the grace of God, they were saved by first responders. My guess is there were plenty of prayers on top of that building — the same way there are in foxholes.
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