Easy does it. Giant rubber airbags, normally used for lifting aircraft or heavy tankers, were inflated to help recover a machine that had toppled over at a Norwich city centre construction.
The delicate recovery operation took place last night after the machinery collapsed into the Westlegate Tower, in Westlegate, at about midday yesterday.
Staff from Norfolk Recovery Services and Quinto Cranes worked together for more than three hours to recover the 12 tonne JCB telehandler.
A limited space crane from Quinto and large airbags were used to carefully remove the machinery to prevent any damage being caused to a nearby 17th century cottage.
A spokesman for Norfolk Recovery Services said the air cushions were rarely deployed and were last used three years ago. He added that the job was more difficult because of the tight space.
'It was so close to the building, but there was no risk to the general public and it worked out very well,' said the spokesman.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here