Man Climbs To Safety After Being Stranded 300 Feet Up

HOUSTON (AP) — Firefighters in Houston say a skyscraper window washer is unharmed after dangling more than 300 feet above the ground from a loose scaffold.  

The Houston Fire Department says the man was secured by another device and was able to climb to safety before first responders arrived. Firefighters say one side of the scaffolding collapsed after a motor failed on Thursday. The scaffold was stationed around the 31st floor of the 34-floor building when it failed, leaving the man dangling for about 15 minutes.

The 434-foot skyscraper was completed in 1984.

Capt. Billy Martin tells KTRK-TV the worker laughed it off and told responders he was leaving for lunch.