Overview
- Longview Fire Department received the call around 8:15 a.m. on Feb. 28, began climbing by 8:50, made first contact near 10:00, and had both people on the ground by 12:47.
- About 14 rescuers ascended the structure as part of a roughly 35-member response, using five to six rope systems, each about 200–300 feet, to manage the extreme height.
- Crews secured the basket to the tower, guided the occupants to exit at over 900 feet, and lowered them in successive rope pitches to the ground.
- Both passengers were conscious after the descent, with no injuries reported, and were taken to a hospital as a precaution.
- Drone and news video of the operation circulated widely, and local officials publicly praised the Longview team’s precision and professionalism.