When most people think of cherry pickers or boom lifts, they picture construction sites, cladding projects, or maintenance crews working on high-rise façades.
But in emergency situations, these machines often take on a very different role: rescuing people, supporting emergency services, and even saving lives.
From storm damage to industrial accidents, cherry pickers have become an unsung part of Britain’s emergency toolkit. They are fast to deploy, can reach awkward spaces, and offer a safer alternative to scaffolding or rope rescue when every second counts.
Real-life rescues at height
Two people stranded 60 ft in the air, Catterick Garrison
In July 2025, firefighters in North Yorkshire were called to an unusual emergency: two people stuck in a cherry picker, 60 feet above ground. A mechanical failure left them unable to descend. Crews from Richmond, Acomb, and Tadcaster used their own aerial ladder platform to bring them back down safely. The incident highlighted how quickly rescue teams rely on powered access equipment when things go wrong.
Worker trapped in Essex cherry picker
In November 2021, Essex Fire and Rescue Service attended an emergency in Chafford Hundred when a man became trapped in a 15-metre-high cherry picker after the lift malfunctioned. Crews were able to bring him down safely using specialist equipment. The case served as a reminder of how essential it is for emergency services to have reliable high-reach options when equipment fails.
Multi-agency response at Carlisle’s Dixon’s Chimney
One of the most dramatic incidents occurred in 2019, when a man was spotted dangling from the top of Dixon’s Chimney, an 88-metre Grade II listed structure in Carlisle. Emergency teams from across the country converged, including rope specialists, coastguard crews, and local firefighters. A cherry picker was even flown in from Glasgow to attempt the rescue. Despite the tragic outcome, the incident demonstrated how critical such machines are in extreme, complex emergencies.
Firefighters rescue man stuck in another cherry picker, Cofton Hacket
In 2018, fire crews in Worcestershire responded to a bizarre callout: a man trapped inside a cherry picker. To reach him, firefighters had to use their own aerial ladder platform effectively one cherry picker rescuing another. The incident showed just how versatile these machines can be when rescuers need to act quickly.
Beyond construction: when height becomes a hazard
These stories illustrate the many ways cherry pickers support emergency services. They are frequently deployed in:
Industrial accidents – rescuing workers from malfunctioning lifts or machinery.
Storm damage – clearing fallen trees, repairing roofs, or fixing overhead signage after severe weather.
Medical emergencies – reaching injured or stranded people on scaffolding, chimneys, or rooftops.
Firefighting and inspection – accessing high-rise fires, assessing damage, or inspecting unsafe structures.
In all of these situations, speed and safety are paramount. Scaffolding can take days to erect and ladders have strict height limitations, but a cherry picker can be brought in and operational within hours.
Industry insight
Andy Bray, Managing Director at Access Platform Sales (APS), explains why access platforms have become indispensable beyond construction:
“Most people associate cherry pickers with building sites or façade cleaning, but in reality, they’re often called upon in emergencies. Whether it’s storm-damaged roofs, rescuing workers from broken machinery, or supporting firefighters, having the right access equipment available can save time and prevent accidents. These machines are more than tools for construction — they’re an important part of community safety.”
Looking ahead
As the UK faces more extreme weather events and increasing demands on emergency services, cherry pickers are likely to play an even greater role. Their versatility makes them suitable for both everyday callouts and once-in-a-generation incidents.
They may not grab headlines like fire engines or ambulances, but cherry pickers have quietly become part of Britain’s emergency response. The next time storm damage blocks a road, a worker is stranded at height, or a rescue is underway, chances are a cherry picker will be there — not building something up, but helping to bring someone safely back down.
Read more:
Emergency at Height: The Lifesaving Role of Cherry Pickers
