This story was updated with new information.
Officials said a man is safe after falling into the Licking River the morning of Feb. 5.
Newport Fire Department Chief Frank Peluso said rescuers saw a fallen crane suspended over the Licking River when they arrived to River Metals Recycling after a 9:16 a.m. phone call.
Due to ice on the river, rescue boats were unable to access the patient. The man was in the river for approximately 40 minutes and remained conscious and alert throughout the incident, until removed from the water.
Two rescue swimmers with the Covington Fire Department entered the river in ice suits and secured the man to a basket that was raised out of the water with a firetruck’s ladder.
Meteorologist with the National Weather Service of Wilmington, Matthew Campbell, said the temperature was likely close to 32 degrees given the presence of ice.
First responders spoke with the man as he sat in the ambulance, Peluso said. He was awake and oriented as he was moved to University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
River Metal Recycling sent out a statement later that evening, saying the man is expected to fully recover following the incident.
“We are grateful to our team, who acted quickly to respond and contacted the Newport Fire Department,” the company said. “We are thankful for everyone’s efforts.”
Peluso said he was uncertain why the crane had fallen and whether it caused the man to fall into the river.
This story may be updated.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Newport crane collapses, man rescued from icy Licking River
Reporting by Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
