LAKE ELSINORE, CA — It isn't every day that a crane operator rescues a crane.

On Tuesday, Riverside County Animal Service Officers learned of two large cranes entangled in a fishing line in a tree in the 17600 block of Mackay Avenue.

The tree is within a few blocks of the lakefront, near Perret Park. It is known as a "nesting tree" for cranes and according to John Welsh, spokesperson for the Riverside County Animal Services department.

Upon arrival, Officer David Harris discovered one of the birds had died. The second bird was dangling and exhausted and "near death, too," Welsh said.

It remained stuck in branches taller than could easily be reached by any of their or Cal Fire / Riverside County Firefighter's resources. Harris had to think of another solution, and fast. Officials then had a lightbulb moment.

Southern California Edison workers have bucket lifts, and they can reach the tallest of power lines.

Harris reached out to the experts at Southern California Edison, who responded quickly with a tall bucket lift truck.

"They looped us in to help out," a SoCal Edison spokesperson told Patch.

Welsh captured the moment on video, shared below.

"The SoCal Edison worker was able to stretch the bucket just high enough to use a special tool to cut the entangled bird free," Welsh said.

Though Harris was ready with a blanket to catch the majestic bird when it fell free, that lifesaving maneuver wasn't necessary, according to Welsh.

Instead, that crane flew off toward the lake.

Those watching applauded the moment of freedom. The bird is not believed to be still entangled with any fishing line.

Abandoned fishing lines pose a significant danger to birds in and around Lake Elsinore. They are often left behind by fishermen, unaware of the risks the filament poses to other animals.

"This reminds us that abandoned fishing line is dangerous to our flying friends," Welsh said. "Please clean up your used lines."