Motor failure leaves window washer dangling in the air

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A window washer caught in a scary situation dangling more than 30 floors above the ground in southwest Houston kept his cool under pressure. The scaffolding he was on wound up dangling almost vertical.

Eyewitnesses watched the tense moments from the ground as firefighters moved in to rescue the man from the Phoenix Tower. This all happened at about noon Thursday, near the top of the 34 story building. It was the height of lunchtime traffic but instead of people traveling back and forth, they stopped, stood and looked up.

One side of the scaffolding collapsed. Firefighters who responded to the scene tell us it began dropping down after the motor failed. The window washer was secured by another device, and firefighters say his life was never in danger. After about 15 minutes of dangling in the air, the window washer was rescued with the help of his partner who was still on the ledge and firefighters.

"He was fine," said HFD Senior Captain Billy Martin. "As soon as he got off there, he said he was going to lunch."

It's definitely a good sign that he was able to laugh it off. We have a call in to the scaffolding company, Joe Building Services, to find out more about the window washer. Firefighters tell us the scaffolding has been put out of service to be re-inspected.