A major road on the Gold Coast was closed during the Wednesday morning peak hour after a man climbed to the top of a large building crane at Burleigh Heads, prompting a multi-agency emergency response.
The man was spotted scaling the crane, located off The Esplanade at Burleigh Heads, shortly after 6am on Wednesday, 29 July. Queensland Police, the Queensland Fire Department and paramedics all attended the scene as authorities worked to resolve the situation.
Road Closures Cause Morning Peak Disruptions
A stretch of The Esplanade was shut down to traffic as emergency services managed the incident, causing significant delays for commuters during the busy morning peak. The closure was expected to remain in place for an unknown period, and motorists were urged to find an alternate route.
Local residents shared footage of the unfolding scene, with police observed on the rooftop of a neighbouring building in an apparent attempt to talk the man down from the dangerous height.
Negotiators Working to Bring Man Down Safely
Officers could be seen engaging with the man from the vantage point of the adjacent rooftop, with the negotiation ongoing as of early Wednesday morning. The full circumstances surrounding why the man climbed the crane had not been confirmed at the time of reporting.
Residents and commuters in the Burleigh Heads area were advised to allow extra travel time and avoid The Esplanade until further notice from authorities.
