CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Emergency crews took part in a daring rescue 130 feet in the air Thursday night in southeast Charlotte.
First responders were called around 10 p.m. to the cellphone tower on Rama Road, near McClintock Middle School after a worker at the top of the tower had a medical emergency and became unconscious.
A co-worker discovered the man was unconscious and climbed down to get help.
Charlotte Fire Department's Heavy Rescue Unit was called in to help in the rescue.
"Last night they used the ladder to get far enough and then they used the tower as well," Charlotte Fire Battalion Chief Rob Cannon said.
[IMAGES: Crews respond to high-angle rescue at cellphone tower]
Charlotte Fire Department told Channel 9 that they don't do these types of rescues often, but they are trained for them.
They used special harnesses to secure themselves before going up the tower. Once they're at the top, crews had to evaluate the patient and make sure they had the appropriate equipment to treat him and safely bring him down.
The gear crews use can weigh up to 70 pounds.
(WATCH: Click PLAY to see cellphone footage of the rescue)
"Everybody has a desire to help make things better, to be able to help someone on their worst day," Charlotte firefighter Matt Saraceno said.
The patient did not have life-threatening injuries and is expected to be OK.
The owner of the cellphone tower sent a statement thanking the emergency workers for all they did to prevent a tragedy.
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