'I Was Freaking Out' — Worker Trapped In 130-Foot Sign Shares Story: Report

WILMINGTON, IL — An electrician who spent over six hours 130 feet above the ground in a gas station sign due to an equipment malfunction recently recounted to WLS how the harrowing experience prompted him to record farewell messages to his wife and children.

"In the moment, it was getting hairy. I mean, I was getting — I was genuinely getting scared, and I didn't know what was going to happen. And yeah, I was freaking out," A.J. Gow told the outlet.

The incident occurred on July 21 in the area of Lorenzo and Southwest Frontage roads in Wilmington when a lift malfunctioned, trapping a worker inside, Patch previously reported.

As the hours passed without water, Gow’s condition worsened on the hot July day, he told WLS.

He was eventually brought to safety with the assistance of rescue team members, a replacement machine found in the Joliet area and an operator.