Construction worker rescued over the St. Croix River

HUDSON, Wis. (AP) — More than two dozen people from at least six agencies helped rescue a construction worker from a precarious spot some 70 feet above the St. Croix River.

Authorities say the man was painting the Interstate 94 bridge near Hudson when he fell about 15 feet onto some scaffolding between the two Interstate 94 bridge spans and injured his leg.

It took about two hours as rescuers used an aerial ladder truck and contended with high winds.

St. Croix EMS chief Eric Christensen said the simple rescue call became a very elaborate and technical operation. A paramedic was lowered by rope and brought a basket to retrieve the injured man.

KARE-TV reports both directions of the interstate were closed for about two hours Wednesday afternoon as rescuers worked to reach the man.

Information from KARE-TV Minneapolis-St. Paul, http://www.kare11.com