Crew works to rescue mechanic. PHOTO: St Petersburg Fire and Rescue

Emergency responders took about half an hour to extricate a mechanic who was trapped in the mast mechanism of a Toyota forklift at a St Petersburg boat repair, equipment and service facility.

Northeast Marine and Scooters sub-contracted with Mobile Hydraulic Repair of Pinellas Park, Florida for work on the forklift's hydraulic cylinder, application of a seal solution for a cracked block and routine fluid maintenance.
Part of the plan was to remove the cylinder and take it back to the Pinellas Park shop for servicing.

Initially for access, the man raised the forklift's tines and positioned lengths of wood to maintain the elevation, says Lt Joel Granata, deputy fire marshal and public information officer with the St Petersburg Fire and Rescue department.

The worker climbed on top of a stabiliser bar and disassembled the tube. With the hydraulic power disabled, the weight snapped one of the wood supports. As the equipment slid down the mast, both of the man's feet became trapped between the stabiliser bars in stages two and three of the mast, officials report.

The department's technical rescue team used high-pressure hydraulic lifting, bending, pulling, and cutting equipment, and paramedics provided the man with oxygen, intravenous fluids and pain medication.

Officials say the traumatised worker was transported about 4 mi. (6.4 km) from the business in St Petersburg's North Kenwood neighbourhood to the Bayfront Medical Center. The unidentified man was reported in stable condition.

The incident began about 12.45 pm on 12 February.

The business lines of Northeast Marine and Scooters include boat equipment and services, boat repairing, marine contract and design work and outboard motors.