"When most people think of cherry pickers or boom lifts, they picture construction sites, cladding projects, or maintenance crews working on high-rise façades. But in emergency situations, these machines often take on a very different role: rescuing people, supporting emergency services, and even saving lives. From storm damage to industrial accidents, cherry pickers have become an unsung part of Britain's emergency toolkit. They are fast to deploy, can reach awkward spaces, and offer a safer alternative to scaffolding or rope rescue when every second counts."
"Two people stranded 60 ft in the air, Catterick Garrison In July 2025, firefighters in North Yorkshire were called to an unusual emergency: two people stuck in a cherry picker, 60 feet above ground. A mechanical failure left them unable to descend. Crews from Richmond, Acomb, and Tadcaster used their own aerial ladder platform to bring them back down safely. The incident highlighted how quickly rescue teams rely on powered access equipment when things go wrong."
Cherry pickers and boom lifts are frequently used in emergencies to rescue people, support emergency services, and save lives after storms, accidents, or equipment failures. These machines deploy rapidly, reach awkward or high locations, and provide a safer alternative to scaffolding or rope rescue. Examples include two people stranded 60 ft at Catterick Garrison in July 2025 rescued by firefighters with an aerial ladder, a 2021 Essex incident where crews lowered a trapped worker from a 15-metre lift, and the 2019 Dixon's Chimney response involving multi-agency teams and a flown-in cherry picker. Cherry pickers are critical in extreme, complex rescues.
Read at Business Matters
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