The Orion Online

Issue date: 11/19/08 Section: Online Exclusives

Media Credit: Elizabeth Varin Rogalio Huizal fell off a ladder on the roof of the Wildcat Recreation Center and was helped down by firefighters Thursday. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Elizabeth Varin A firetruck was brought out to help an injured construction worker off the roof of the Wildcat Recreation Center. Firefighter Craig Cox was in the basket to keep an eye on and comfort Rogalio Huizal. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Elizabeth Varin Rogalio Huizal, 39, of Kodiak Roofing and Waterproofing Company fractured his tibia and fibia Thursday. [Click to enlarge]

Nov. 20, 2008

Firefighters and police helped get an injured construction worker off the roof of the Wildcat Recreation Center, leaving West First Street blocked off for more than 30 minutes Thursday morning.

Rogalio Huizal, 39, was standing on a ladder on the roof when the legs of the ladder slipped, said Fire Captain Brian Conry. He fell, broke his tibia and fibula and was taken to Enloe Medical Center.

While the firefighters were working to bring down Huizal, University Police created a barricade on West First Street from Cherry to Cedar streets, which they kept up from about 9:45 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Thursday.

This emergency was unusual because it was on a roof, Conry said.

"But it worked out pretty well," he said.

A firetruck with an extended basket came to the scene to lift Huizal off the roof to the waiting hands of the paramedics at the scene.

Firefighter Craig Cox was in the basket with Huizal, keeping him calm and making sure nothing else was hurt.

"People get nervous up there," Cox said.

Elizabeth Varin can be reached at
onlineeditor@theorion.com

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