A man has sparked a major emergency response on the Gold Coast after climbing to the top of a construction crane at Burleigh Heads early Wednesday morning, forcing the closure of a stretch of The Esplanade during the busy morning peak.
The man was spotted scaling the large crane, located off The Esplanade, just after 6am. Police, Queensland Fire Department crews and paramedics all converged on the scene in response.
Negotiators Attempt to Talk Man Down from Crane
With the man positioned at a precarious height on the crane, officers were observed on the rooftop of a neighbouring building, working to communicate with him and bring the situation to a safe resolution. Locals in the area captured footage of the unfolding scene and shared it widely.
The section of The Esplanade affected by the closure remained shut for an unknown duration as emergency services managed the situation. No timeframe for reopening the road has been given.
Traffic Disruptions Across Burleigh Heads
The incident caused significant traffic delays through parts of the Gold Coast during the morning commute. Motorists travelling through the Burleigh Heads area have been urged to allow extra time or find an alternate route until the road is reopened.
The full extent of the closure and the circumstances that led the man to climb the crane have not yet been confirmed by authorities. Emergency services remain on scene.
If you or someone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.
