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2 clusters · 10 sources · 3 days · First seen · Last updated

Electrician rescue in Wilmington, Illinois

Overview

An electrician, AJ Gow, was trapped for over six hours inside a 130-foot (40-meter) gas station sign in Wilmington, Illinois, following a mechanical failure of an aerial lift during routine maintenance at a Petro Travel Center.

The incident occurred during intense heat, with temperatures inside the unventilated metal structure reaching approximately 30°C. After requesting a coworker to bring water and a fan, the lift mechanism malfunctioned, leaving Gow stranded. Due to the lack of water and rising heat, Gow experienced heat exhaustion and recorded emotional voice messages for his wife and children as he feared for his life.

Rescue efforts were hindered because local fire department ladders could only reach 100 feet (30 meters). Emergency responders eventually secured a specialized high-reach boom lift from Joliet, which was escorted to the scene by the Illinois State Police. After the six-hour ordeal, technical rescue teams successfully transferred Gow to safety. He was reported to be uninjured and returned home safely.

Entities

Wilmington Fire Protection District · Wilmington, Illinois · AJ Gow · Illinois State Police · Wilmington

Timeline

  1. 19 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 4 sources
    Electrician rescued after being trapped 130 feet inside Illinois sign

    Electrician AJ Gow was rescued after being trapped for six hours inside a 130-foot sign in Wilmington, Illinois, during extreme heat, after a lift malfunctioned.

  2. 22 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 6 sources
    Electrician rescued after six-hour ordeal trapped in Illinois sign

    An Illinois electrician was rescued after being trapped for over six hours inside a 130-foot-tall gas station sign due to a lift malfunction and extreme heat.

Sources

cafef.vn · correiodobrasil.com.br · extra.globo.com · faithpot.com · kenh14.vn · ladbible.com · offthepress.com · oglobo.globo.com · signsofthetimes.com · tvovermind.com

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history