Bridge Worker Rescued from Gears

The worker hurt his arm

Chicago Firefighters rescued a bridge worker who slipped and fell into a Loop drawbridge gear works.

The man was working on the Washington Street Bridge above the Chicago River at 400 W. Washington St. Thursday about 1 a.m. He slipped, fell about 30 feet and landed in the drawbridge's gears, said CFD Battalion Chief Dan Fabrizio.

"They had to lower a ladder down and do an obstructive type raise. We were able to get to the victim and bring him up, " Fabrizio said. "The guys did a heck of a job."

Marine rescue units headed to the scene because the fire department originally believed the worker plunged into the water. Crews eventually saw him stuck between the bridge's gears.

An ambulance took the worker to the hospital with arm injuries, according to a fire department spokesperson.

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