Feb 28, 2008 11:00 pm US/Eastern
PECO Workers Show Gratitude For Rescue
FOLCROFT, Pa. (CBS 3) ―
Two PECO workers expressed their gratitude to the Coast Guard Thursday after their dramatic rescue in Folcroft, Delaware County.
"As soon as I left the arm I was relieved. I was glad to get off the power. The hoisting up the helicopter didn't bother me at all," rescued PECO worker Dave Acree said.
"I had a new best friend, that guy," rescued PECO worker Christopher Russell said.
For just over two hours, Dave Acree and Christopher Russell waited.
Strapped 140 feet up, the PECO workers were performing routine maintenance when the bucket vehicle they were in lost power and began to sway in the wind. So they got out of the bucket and strapped themselves onto the pole.
Dave stood on a wire that was about as thick as a man's finger.
"We were tired and cold, not much room to stand and very limited on what I could lean on or where I could go," Dave said.
"And I was around the pole and I was straddling it and after 20 minutes my legs were falling asleep from sitting there. But I'm looking, I'm like realizing Dave, 'You're just standing on wire,' you know he had to be tired," Christopher said.
The Coast Guard using techniques from water rescue situations plucked them from the pole and both men were incredibly grateful.
"I'd like to say thanks. I really appreciate it. They did a good job," Dave said.
"My daughter's made cards up. It says, 'Thank you for saving my dad,'" Christopher said.
Dave and Russell spoke about their experience over breakfast with the rest of their team of about 12 men, but more importantly spoke about tweaking safety procedures in case a similar situation occurs in the future.
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