Two window washers were trapped for nearly an hour on a dangling basket at the top of a 50-storey skyscraper in Oklahoma on Wednesday. 

Dramatic footage shows the basket as it swung out of control while attempts were made to rescue the workers from the Devon Tower. 

The scaffold banged against the sides of the 850-foot building that extended 20 feet above the roof as the men clutched the railing. 

The two men became stranded shortly  before 7.45am on Wednesday outside the tower.  

The cradle was seen swinging wildly and even broke windows as it continued to spin in the air. 

Oklahoma City Fire Department Deputy Chief Michael Walker said it was likely the crane's safety features had 'kicked in' because of the 'high wind gusts that started affecting their operation'. 

Firefighters on the scene managed to get the crane to center and lower the arm 'just a bit', allowing them to throw ropes out to the two men. 

They then brought the basket down to the roof. 

The men were pulled to safety at around 8.30am, an hour in to the ordeal. 

Paramedics evaluated the men, who both refused treatment.