Worker Rescued from 130-Foot Gas Station Sign in Illinois

The Wilmington Fire Protection District rescued a maintenance worker who became stranded inside a 130-foot-tall gas station sign at a Petro location on Lorenzo Road in Wilmington, Illinois, on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. The worker became trapped between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. after the lift he was using for maintenance malfunctioned. Because the sign lacked internal ladders and the fire department's standard ladders only reached 100 feet, responders were unable to reach the worker immediately.

Emergency officials sourced a specialized lift from a job site in Joliet, Illinois. The Illinois State Police escorted the equipment 17 miles to the scene to facilitate the rescue.

Just before 4:00 p.m., rescuers used a crane basket to lower the man to the ground. Although he was placed in an ambulance for assessment, the worker refused medical treatment and was reported to be in good condition.