86-Year-Old Tampa Man Rescued After Dangerous Fall from Roof While Doing Chores
86-Year-Old Tampa Man Rescued After Roof Mishap
TAMPA, Fla. — An ordinary afternoon of chores turned into a harrowing experience for 86-year-old James Manitaras on Wednesday, as he found himself dangling precariously from his three-story roof on Patterson Street.
Manitaras, who has lived in his home for over 40 years, was attempting to clear leaves from his roof—a task he has confidently tackled many times before. “I get up on the roof and blow it off,” he explained. However, this time, the branches he usually relied on for support had been trimmed, leaving him in a vulnerable position.
“I was afraid to walk it, and my shoes weren’t doing real well. So, I decided I would get down and crawl it,” he recounted. Unfortunately, the steep pitch of the roof made it difficult for him to maneuver, and he soon realized his legs were hanging off the edge.
Fortunately, a neighbor happened to walk by and noticed Manitaras’s predicament. “He saw my legs over the side of the house and called 911,” Manitaras said. The Tampa Police Department and Tampa Fire Rescue arrived within minutes, ready to assist.
“As soon as I heard the sirens, I thought, ‘Oh yes, this is just what I need,’” Manitaras recalled. Had help not arrived, he faced a daunting 30-foot drop to the gravel below. “I wouldn’t have been very well off,” he admitted.
After the rescue, Manitaras expressed his gratitude, stating, “I’ve said thank you so many times. I wouldn’t be standing here if it wasn’t for them.” Despite feeling tired and sore, he recognized that he had narrowly escaped a serious accident.
His wife, Sharon, had long urged him to avoid climbing onto the roof. “She’s been on me for years not to do it,” he said, reflecting on how confidence can sometimes lead to risky decisions. “Of course, she had been on me for years not to do it. And me, I think I can do everything. I can’t.”
Now, with a newfound perspective on safety, Manitaras is considering following his wife’s advice and hiring someone to handle the roof maintenance in the future. “It may be time to ask for help,” he acknowledged.
As he recovers from the ordeal, Manitaras is grateful for the quick response of first responders and the lesson learned about the importance of safety at any age.