Man, 18, Rescued From Barge’s Cargo Hold

TAMPA, FL — An 18-year-old man injured while working in the cargo area of a barge moored in Port Tampa Bay Wednesday night was rescued thanks to a few firefighters, paramedics and a crane.

According to Tampa Fire Rescue, a medical emergency call from 1800 Grant St. came in just after 11 p.m. Aug. 9. When crews arrived on the scene, they learned the man had been injured while working in the cargo area. He could not get out.

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Firefighters “used ropes and rigging equipment to lower paramedics 50 feet down into the cargo area to access and treat the patient,” an email from Jason Penny, fire rescue’s spokesman, said. Crews then used a crane and pulley rigging system to lower a basket down to raise the man out of the cargo hold.

The man, who isn’t being identified, was taken to Tampa General Hospital shortly after midnight Aug. 10. Penny said he suffered injuries that are not life-threatening.

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Further information, including how the man was injured, is not being released at this time.

The rescue, Penny said, serves as an example of the many special situations firefighters train to handle. Tampa crews are trained for confined space, high altitude, remote area and underwater rescues, among others.

Photos courtesy of Tampa Fire Rescue