Wilmington maintenance worker rescued from 130-foot gas station sign

An Illinois maintenance worker was trapped on a 130-foot gas station sign for more than six hours after his elevator broke down.

The worker, who identified himself as AJ Gow, was performing repair work on the tall sign on Lorenzo Road off Interstate 55 in Wilmington on Tuesday.

At 1:55 p.m., the Wilmington Fire District was called to the area for a report of a worker trapped inside one of the closed signs on the sign post.

Fire officials said in a statement on social media, “The telescopic platform used by the worker malfunctioned and it was said that the Fire Department personnel had been in a high position for about 3 hours.” he said.

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Fire officials said in a statement on social media, “The telescopic platform used by the worker malfunctioned and it was said that the Fire Department personnel had been in a high position for about 3 hours.” he said.

Officials also said there were no ladders or ladders on the sign post, making it impossible for rescuers to climb it without another elevator.

Another problem was that trucks in the Wilmington Fire District had ladders that went only 30 feet in the air, which meant Gow was 30 feet away.

Fire officials eventually found another platform in the Joliet area, about 20 miles north of the rest stop. The elevator was brought to the sign with an Illinois State Police escort, authorities said.

Worker AJ Gow said he was trapped inside the sign for more than six hours after his lift broke down. (Wilmington Fire District)

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Once the new elevator was in place, firefighters were able to reach Gow and lower him to the ground, the fire district said.

Gow thanked the first responders from different departments who came to his aid, saying, “Seeing the elevator move with the police escort was definitely the highlight of my day!” he said.

Gow later said on social media that he spent more than six hours inside the sign.

Aerial view of the AJ Gow sign, which was stranded for more than six hours this week. (WFLD)

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In response to someone commenting on the fire district’s post, Gow wrote, “I was too hot and dehydrated to be worried. I was feeling nauseous and dizzy. It was also incredibly uncomfortable to stay here for over 6 hours. It was only 16″ wide and not tall enough to stand fully upright.”

In another comment, Gow said the sign “kept swinging with the wind.”

Gow said he went to hospital to be treated for dehydration after he fell to the ground. Fox News Digital has reached out to Gow for comment.