Stranded utility workers rescued

GLENOLDEN, Pa. - February 27, 2008 (WPVI) -- The Coast Guard rescued two workers trapped atop a utility pole in Folcroft, Delaware County.

They spent nearly two and half hours stranded on top of a 110-foot high-tension tower in the area of the 1500 block of Chester Pike in Glenolden.

PECO linemen Dave Acree and Chris Russell became stuck when their bucket truck malfunctioned and tipped around 10:00 a.m.

They climbed out and, while still harnessed, gripped the top of the tower for dear life.

PECO has other high transmission bucket trucks, but they were on other jobs and rescue workers at the scene decided the Coast Guard was the fasted way to get the men down.

The Atlantic City Coast Guard received special permission from an admiral to perform the daring rescue. It is never easy, but this rescue was a different from plucking people from the water.

An orange-suited rescuer was lowered by cable from the chopper. He wrapped his legs around the men as they grabbed onto his waist and one by one were hoisted to safety.

Acree was checked out at Taylor Hospital. He said it was cold and their hands and feet were numb.

"It was a little shaky not knowing what the equipment is going to do and the wind blowing, and waiting for something to happen, for someone to come get you down and out of the way," he said.

Acree said he was quite relieved to see the coast guard rescuers arrive when they did.

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local/state, cathy gandolfo

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