Emergency crews put their new high-rescue training to the test Thursday following an early morning call about a man who had climbed to the top of the Bell Canada tower on Beacon Road in the city's south end.
Barrie police communications co-ordinator Peter Leon confirmed the incident to BarrieToday, noting police got the call at 6:37 a.m. and that a man had been apprehended and taken to Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) by police after returning to the ground from the tower at 40 Beacon Rd.
The tower is just over 70 metres in height.
The individual was back on the ground safely at 8:44 a.m., and taken by police to RVH after Simcoe County Paramedics conducted an assessment following the man's return to the ground, Leon added.
“He was assisted down by members of the Barrie Fire and Emergency Services and Barrie police. It was an incredibly collaborative effort to do what they did. We had people speaking with him before he decided to come down,” said Leon.
“At the end of the day, emergency services worked hand-in-hand to facilitate the means to get him down safely," he added.
Leon also noted the incident provided an opportunity for both firefighters and police officers to use new training they recently received.
“We just had some of our officers involved in the high-rescue training with rapelling and it gave them a chance to put their skills to work," he said. "Both services worked hand-in-hand and it was a wonderfully collaborative effort.
“For us (police), it was an opportunity for recently trained officers to put those skills to work and to work alongside our colleagues from Barrie Fire," Leon added. "There is a great level of expertise (needed) when it comes to high-angle rescues. It’s important for both services to be able to do that and we were able to.”
No charges have been laid at this time and the investigation is ongoing.
