The East Whiteland Fire Company was dispatched Monday morning at 7:46 for a serious incident at the Glasgow Quarry located on Morehall Road (Route 29) in East Whiteland Township. It was reported that a truck was down an embankment in the quarry. In the pouring rain East Whiteland apparatus arrived and were directed to a remote pathway on the south rim of the quarry where incident command was established. A very large Volvo quarry transporter had fallen about halfway down into the enormous quarry and was resting upside down with the operator still in the machine. East Whiteland Fire Company Captain Greg Lewis requested heavy rescue and a rescue task force, bringing specialty rescue teams from all over Chester County. An array of rescue vehicles lined the south rim along the very top of the quarry. After careful planning, rescue personnel were lowered down the very steep and dangerous cliff to reach the operator of the machine. Attached to special rescue harness and heavy ropes the rescuers reached the overturned machine and proceeded to put the operator into a rescue basket where he was securely tied in, then the slow ascent back up the hill to a waiting ambulance. Two heavy 50 & 60 ton recovery trucks were brought in by Abel Brothers Towing to assist in the operation. Thank you to the many fire department rescue and special teams who responded.
Overall view of the massive quarry operation. The overturned machine is to the center left.
A Lionville Fire Department vehicle located on the quarry floor for observation.
The overturned Volvo quarry transporter.
Rescue personnel descend by rope at the top center to reach the operator.
Rescue personnel make their way to the overturned machine with a rescue basket (orange).
Reaching the operator at the machine.
Close up view of the overturned Volvo machine.
With the operator tied into the basket, the ascent back up to the top where an ambulance and medics are waiting.
Movement is slow to ensure safety.
Getting into a straight position to be pulled back up.
Slow and easy.
Reaching the top.
Overall view of the array of rescue vehicles and personnel at the top, and the overturned machine.