According to a maritime news outlet, the United States Coast Guard in Memphis saved a drowning man’s life last week after the crane he was operating fell into McKellar Lake.
“The U.S. Coast Guard helped resuscitated an unresponsive crane operator Tuesday near Memphis, Tennessee, after the crane he was operating fell into the water,” according to a Coast Guard release.
The release said that a “good samaritan on a nearby towing vessel entered the water and was able to locate the unresponsive crane operator.”
Then, the Coast Guard stepped in to help.
“The USCGC Ouachita crew and one member of the USCGC Obion crew were nearby when the crane collapsed and responded to the incident,” the report says. “The crew used a nearby fire hose as a lifeline to pull the two people to shore and get them out of the water.”
After pulling the pair out of the water, the crew began administering CPR to the unresponsive crane operator. Eventually, the crew restored his pulse, and he was taken to a local hospital for further care.
“I couldn’t be more proud of how our crew responded,” said Chief Petty Officer Will Parris, Coast Guard Cutter Ouachita, executive petty officer. “They relied on their training, experience and each other to get the gentleman the care he needed.”
U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) highlighted the story on her Twitter account.
“Thank you to the @USCG for saving the life of a crane operator near Memphis, Tennessee after his crane fell into the water,” Blackburn said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Thank you to the @USCG for saving the life of a crane operator near Memphis, Tennessee after his crane fell into the water.https://t.co/xs2S93ldcU
— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) September 26, 2023
The cause of the crane’s collapse into the water remains under investigation.
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Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on X / Twitter.
