Photo by Rich Renomeron.

The 2400 block of 14th Street NW was the scene of “a very slow and deliberate” rescue operation this morning, after a man was injured on the tip of a crane and was stuck hanging 150 feet in the air.

Rescue crews responded to the scene at around 8:20 a.m., and it took them about an hour to get equipment in place to rescue the man. Traffic was diverted around the scene. The fire department used ropes, rigging and a basket to get to the man, who has not yet been identified, other than his occupation as a crane operator on the site.

According to D.C. Fire and EMS spokesperson Pete Piringer, paramedics found the man breathing and conscious when they were finally able to reach him. He was lowered safely to the ground about an hour after he was reported injured. The man reportedly suffered serious, potentially life-threatening back and head injuries.