LITTLE MOUNTAIN — Two men were rescued Wednesday morning after the scaffolding they were standing on at the water tower in Little Mountain broke.

According to Chief Deputy Todd Johnson, with the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office, the two men were wearing safety harnesses when the scaffolding broke, and were caught by the harnesses. Multiple rescue agencies from Newberry County and Lexington arrived on scene to rescue the two men, utilizing a ladder truck.

Brent Richardson, manager of the Newberry County Water and Sewer Authority, said the two men were employees with the Utility Service Company, based out of Perry, Ga., they were installing a new logo on the water storage tank for NCWSA.

“There was an equipment failure, which left two Utility Service employees stranded in midair, thankfully the employees were utilizing safety harnesses which prevented any injuries,” he said. “No NCWSA employees were involved in the incident or on site when the incident occurred.”

The equipment used was provided by the contractor, according to Richardson.

“We are very thankful that the gentlemen were utilizing the appropriate safety equipment, and we are very thankful no one was injured in the accident,” he said.

While work was being done on the water tower in Little Mountain, the scaffolding two workers were using broke, which caused the two men to get stranded midair.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/web1_IMG_19191.jpgWhile work was being done on the water tower in Little Mountain, the scaffolding two workers were using broke, which caused the two men to get stranded midair. Jana Jayroe | For The Newberry Observer

By Andrew Wigger

awigger@newberryobserver.com

Reach Andrew Wigger at 803-276-0625 ext. 1867 or on Twitter @TheNBOnews.