In a remarkable tale of bravery and quick thinking, Glen Edwards, a crane operator, recently recounted his harrowing experience of rescuing a man from a blazing inferno.
Edwards, still feeling the aftershocks of the event, expressed his gratitude towards the generous well-wishers who have raised nearly £7,000, a gesture meant to “buy him a beer” for his courageous act.
The rescue, which took place in Reading last Thursday, was fraught with challenges, as Edwards explained.
The “swirling wind” was a significant obstacle, making the already perilous situation even more difficult.
Edwards, who has yet to meet the man he saved, remembered the dire circumstances the man faced, trapped with only a few square meters of space amidst the encroaching smoke and flames.
Edwards, 65, vividly described the intense moments of the rescue.
He was operating his crane, which had a concrete skip attached, when the fire alarm sounded.
Spotting a man in distress, waving his coat for attention, Edwards didn’t hesitate.
He quickly rigged a metal cage to the crane, ready to embark on the daring rescue.
With years of experience under his belt, Edwards, hailing from Egham in Surrey, knew his crane’s capabilities intimately.
“I knew what the radius was on that level, as I put numerous materials down on there before,” he confidently stated.
However, the rescue was complicated by the thick, black smoke that enveloped the area, severely limiting his visibility.
“I’ve got a camera on my jib and I couldn’t see nothing – couldn’t see him – smoke was swirling around, so the cradle passed out of sight,” Edwards recounted, painting a picture of the challenging conditions he faced.
His colleague on the ground played a crucial role, guiding him through the smoke, while a crowd of onlookers watched with bated breath, hoping for a successful rescue.
Edwards shared the tense moments as he maneuvered the crane.
“It seemed like an eternity” until the man was finally safe inside the cage.
Edwards kept a close eye on the weight gauge, which would indicate when the man boarded.
“Then it was just a matter of waiting – and then the smoke cleared a bit and I could see him on my camera and he was waiting to get in.”
The atmosphere was charged with emotion as the crowd erupted in cheers.
Edwards, driven by adrenaline, worked swiftly to bring the man to safety.
“I pulled the lever right back as fast as I could to get him out of there,” he recalled, still feeling the intensity of the moment.
Interestingly, Edwards and the man he rescued have not yet had the chance to meet face-to-face.
Edwards jokingly remarked, “He’s got to take me across the road for a drink yet!”
The dramatic rescue was captured on video and quickly spread across the internet, garnering widespread attention and applause from those who witnessed it.
Edwards is humbled and touched by the overwhelming positive reaction.
“It means a lot, some of the comments have been absolutely fantastic,” he said, adding that his partner was also extremely proud of him, welcoming him with a warm embrace upon his return home.
In a touching display of gratitude, a fundraising page set up to “buy Glen a beer” has surpassed its initial £5,000 target, amassing over £6,700.
The man Edwards heroically saved was treated for mild smoke inhalation and was fortunate to be discharged from the hospital on the same day, escaping any serious harm.
This incident not only highlights Edwards’ bravery but also the community’s strong spirit in rallying support for a local hero.
Hear Edwards recount the heart-pounding moment in the video below.
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