Two window cleaners faced a terrifying ordeal after the basket they were working from broke, leaving them suspended from the side of a 22-storey building.
Dramatic Rescue Operation Unfolds
The incident occurred on Thursday, 4 December 2025, in Tysons, Virginia. The workers were left stranded approximately 15 floors above the ground when their cleaning apparatus failed. Emergency services were immediately alerted to the precarious situation.
Emergency Services Swing Into Action
The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department were dispatched to the scene to perform a complex aerial rescue. Using a combination of specialist ropes and a tower ladder bucket, crews worked meticulously to reach the two men and bring them down to safety.
Despite being suspended for around an hour in a harrowing position, both workers were incredibly fortunate. Officials confirmed that the pair sustained no injuries during the entire incident.
Questions Over Safety Protocols
While the rescue had a happy ending, the event raises serious questions about workplace safety protocols for high-rise maintenance. The reliance on suspended baskets for such work requires rigorous inspection and failsafe mechanisms. This near-miss in Virginia will likely prompt reviews of equipment standards and operational procedures for similar contractors.
The successful rescue highlights the critical skills and rapid response of urban fire and rescue teams when dealing with incidents at great height.
