Hamden Firefighters Rescue Worker from Roof of Quinnipiac Sports Complex

HAMDEN, CT — Hamden Firefighters rescued a worker who slipped while cleaning the domed metal roof of the Quinnipiac University sports complex and dangled from a safety harness about 35 feet over drainage rocks on Thursday afternoon.

Firefighters responded to the York Hill Campus at about 2:30 p.m. and quickly determined that the worker had not sustained injuries in the incident, according to Deputy Chief Gary Merwede.

Merwede said the 57 –year-old fall victim was working for CSC Hood & Duct Company, who had been contacted to clean the roof of the arena.

“The accident occurred when the worker slipped on his safety rope and slid approximately 20-feet and off the edge of the domed metal roof, and was suspended 35 feet over the drainage rocks below,” Merwede said in a press release. “He told rescue crews that in his last 14 years of employment, this was his first accident and he was glad to be wearing his harness.”

Firefighters used the Truck 1 aerial to reach the victim and lift him above the edge to release his fall protection gear.

“Veteran firefighter Brian Leddy worked the tip of the ladder to be sure the worker made a safe transfer and descent of the apparatus,” Merwede said.

Firefighters completed the rescue shortly before 3 p.m.

No additional injuries were reported and the worker did not require medical assistance on scene, according to Merwede.

Photos courtesy of the Hamden Fire Department.