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Worker Rescued From Side Of Kendall Building

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A remarkable rescue Thursday in Kendall after a worker falls from the roof of an office building, dangling by just a rope.

"We heard a crash and a shattering of glass," said Daisy, a witness to the rescue. "So everybody ran and was hanging by a rope. So I ran to call the maintenance. Another employee ran to call 911. She came in got a hook.  And one of our employees was able to go out the window and harness him."

The incident happened around lunchtime.

Janelle Vega's office was right next door to where to this happened.

"He was very nervous," Vega explained. "He had his eyes closed and one of the other girls from the office helped kick out the window and we were telling him to keep calm. That rescue was on the way. And it was just scary. I think at one time he passed out. He was not coherent. "

Vega says another employee jumped into action and put the worker into another harness.

"We happen to have an employee who's seven feet tall," said Vega. "So he got on the desk and reached out the window.  He was able to harness him with an extra harness he had on the back."

Meanwhile from the roof, another co-worker, seen in cell phone video, held onto the man.

"He must have been about half his size but he was holding onto him the whole time," said witness Lino Diaz de Dillegas. "Didn't let go. Finally cops arrives and were able to help him hold onto him a little bit."

When firefighters arrived they moved a ladder truck quickly up to the fourth floor.

"When we brought the platform underneath the window sill we were able to get one leg at a time because it was very difficult where the bucket was. So one leg at a time," said Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Lt. Jean Joseph.

Lieutenant Jean Joseph got him into the bucket and cut off the harness that saved the man from falling some 40 feet.

"He came to my shoulders and I was able to put him inside," said Lt. Joseph "[He was] very grateful.  You could see his gratitude."

"I think he was very happy to be alive," added Vega. "I think there was a point that he did not think he was going to make it."

As to what led to all this, it remains unclear. Vega suspects part of the roof fell off.

"It all happened really quickly and if you look at the roof, it looks like his step might have broken down," Vega said.

It's unclear what injuries the man sustained but he is expected to be OK.

Authorities have yet to release his name.

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