Window cleaners rescued from 15th floor of London skyscraper after cradle glitch

Images of the window cleaners being saved from the 15th floor after a cradle glitch. (Picture: London Fire Brigade/PA)

Two window cleaners had to be rescued from the 15th floor of a London skyscraper after their cradle malfunctioned.

The men became trapped on a suspended platform outside a building in Southwark on Thursday evening.

London Fire Brigade was called at 5.22pm, and a 64m turntable ladder was sent to the scene to bring the pair down to safety.

Photographs show the yellow structure extending out of a fire engine to reach the men, who were suspended on One Blackfriars by Berkeley.

The incident was ‘under control’ by 6.15pm, the fire service said.

A spokesperson for London Fire Brigade said: ‘Thankfully no-one was hurt and the men were rescued safely and quickly.

Handout photo issued by the London Fire Brigade of two window cleaners being rescued from the 15th floor of a London skyscraper after their cradle malfunctioned. The men became trapped on a suspended platform outside a building in Southwark on Thursday evening, London Fire Brigade said. The service was called at 5.22pm and a 64m turntable ladder was sent to the scene to bring the pair down to safety. Photographs show the yellow structure extending out of a fire truck to reach the men, who were suspended on One Blackfriars by Berkeley. Picture date: Thursday October 8, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: London Fire Brigade/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Handout photo issued by the London Fire Brigade of two window cleaners being rescued from the 15th floor of a London skyscraper after their cradle malfunctioned. The men became trapped on a suspended platform outside a building in Southwark on Thursday evening, London Fire Brigade said. The service was called at 5.22pm and a 64m turntable ladder was sent to the scene to bring the pair down to safety. Photographs show the yellow structure extending out of a fire truck to reach the men, who were suspended on One Blackfriars by Berkeley. Picture date: Thursday October 8, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: London Fire Brigade/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.

‘This is a great example of how the Brigade uses its specialist equipment to meet the challenges of London’s built environment.

‘It is vital that we continue to have the right equipment to enable us to respond effectively and keep London’s communities safe.’

The ladder used to rescue the pair is the tallest aerial appliance in Europe and can reach heights of up to 20 floors.

One Blackfriars by Berkeley is a mixed-use development, which sits at around 558 feet tall and overlooks the River Thames.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, .

MORE: Zack Polanski loses bid to become MP and claim Keir Starmer’s old seat

MORE: Mysterious unlit boat speeds through the River Thames

MORE: Girl, 12, died after drinking contaminated milkshake

Original source Window cleaners rescued from 15th floor of London skyscraper after cradle glitch

Back to home