Teen Rescued After Getting Stuck 100 Feet Up Melbourne Crane

Sometimes the perfect photo comes with unexpected complications, but this Melbourne teen's scary situation had a happy ending thanks to dedicated first responders.

A 17-year-old climbed a 30-metre crane on Lower Heidelberg Road in Ivanhoe last night, hoping to capture some stunning shots from above. What started as an adventure turned into a rescue mission when his shoes got wet and he no longer felt safe making the climb down.

A passerby spotted the stranded teenager around 8pm and immediately contacted police. When officers arrived, the teen dropped down a note reassuring them he was okay, just stuck.

The situation got trickier when his phone battery died, cutting off communication. But the teenager kept his cool, staying put and waiting for help rather than risking a dangerous descent.

Police called in Fire Rescue Victoria's high angle rescue team, who arrived at 9:15pm equipped for exactly this type of challenge. The specialized crew worked carefully to safely lower the teenager from his precarious perch.

By 10:30pm, after just over an hour of careful maneuvering, the teen was back on the ground. His relieved family was waiting to greet him.

The Bright Side

This rescue showcases the incredible training and dedication of Melbourne's emergency services. High angle rescue teams spend countless hours preparing for situations just like this one, and their expertise meant a potentially dangerous situation ended safely.

The teenager showed wisdom too by recognizing when conditions weren't safe for him to climb down alone. His decision to wait for professional help, even though it meant an uncomfortable wait with a dead phone, was exactly the right call.

For the family watching from below and the passerby who raised the alarm, the night ended with the best possible outcome: everyone safe, a lesson learned, and a story that will probably be told at family gatherings for years to come.

When someone's in trouble, Melbourne shows up.