NOLA firefighters rappel 60 feet into hull of ship to help man who fell at wharf

Carlie Wells
The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate

NEW ORLEANS — A man was working on a cargo ship at the Poland Avenue Wharf when he fell 60 feet into the hull Tuesday afternoon, officials said, and needed to be rescued, officials said.

The longshoreman fell around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to the New Orleans Fire Department, which responded with New Orleans Emergency Medical Services.

They were called to do a high-angle technical rescue, which required rescuers to repel down the hull of the ship with rescue equipment in tow.

The man was conscious and alert during the entire rescue, officials said. He was pulled up onto the ship's deck. The man broke his arm and was taken to a hospital for observation, according to a statement from NOFD.

Officials said 23 NOFD personnel responded to the rescue.

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