Fort Worth Firefighters Rescue Crane Operator 220 Feet Up

When a crane operator suffered a medical emergency 220 feet above Fort Worth, firefighters didn't hesitate to climb into the sky to save him.

The operator became stranded Wednesday evening while working at a construction site across from JPS Hospital, unable to descend on his own after experiencing a medical crisis. Station 2 firefighters received the call and quickly realized this rescue would take them higher than they'd ever gone before.

Four firefighters climbed the towering crane to reach the trapped operator. Firefighter Alerah Turpin, Engineer Morgan Hix, and Firefighters Monty Bryant and Rick Aguilar scaled 22 stories while Engineer Caleb Crow coordinated from the ground.

"You don't really have time to think, 'Oh my gosh, I am so high up on the ground right now!'" Turpin said. "We're here for his life."

For Turpin, the rescue carried extra meaning. She graduated from the Fort Worth Fire Academy in 2024, becoming part of the department's first-ever grandparent-grandchild pair to serve together. Her grandfather, Lt. Mike Walters, has protected Fort Worth since 1988.

Why This Inspires

This rescue shows how firefighters prepare for every emergency imaginable, not just flames. The team's extensive high-angle rescue training kicked in exactly when it mattered most, turning a potentially tragic situation into a successful save.

"It is a breath of fresh air and is so good to know that our training pays off," Turpin said. "We don't just fight fires."

The crew worked together to safely guide the operator down from his perch in the sky. Their focus remained on speed and safety, ensuring they could make a positive impact on someone's life when every second counted.

"To see our crew do what they did and the way they did it, it's an incredibly proud moment for all of us," Crow said.

The crane operator is expected to fully recover thanks to the quick-thinking team. The Fort Worth Fire Department now plans to partner with J.E. Dunn Construction Group to develop specialized crane rescue training for future emergencies.

For Turpin, the historic rescue proved what firefighters already know: when someone needs help, height is just another challenge to overcome.