NYC Subway Elevator Rescue Caught on Video

Posted on April 11, 2011 at 2:57pm by Jonathon M. Seidl
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I used to be deathly afraid of elevators. This was my worst fear:

On Friday, a group of NYC subway riders were trapped in a station elevator for over an hour after their car failed. One passenger caught the entire ordeal, including the rescue, on video. Luckily, everyone is okay — even the asthmatic young girl who appears to be hyperventilating during the ordeal. You can watch the video (including the rescue) below:

WCBS reports the elevator failed at about 8:30 pm on Friday. At that particular subway station, Gothamist says, riders have to take the elevator to get to and from the platform.

The passengers were eventually rescued after the FDNY lowered a latter through the top of the car. The young girl was the first one removed:

Passengers stuck in the large elevator seemed determined to be of good cheer and tried to keep the girl calm. One passenger can be heard asking her fellow commuters what their favorite song is.

As time went by, the temperature in the large elevator grew hotter and hotter. Passengers fanned the young girl, who grew more and more agitated and complained that she had to go to the bathroom.

About an hour after the elevator stalled, an FDNY firefighter opened the hatch at the top of the elevator and dangled his legs into the cab.

“It’s OK, we’re here, I’m not going anywhere, everything’s OK,” said the firefighter. “I know it’s hot. You’ll be OK. In five more minutes you and your mom are going to be the first ones to leave.”

A ladder was lowered into the elevator cab and the young girl was hoisted out of the car while threatening to go to the bathroom right then and there.

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Comments (21)

timelesstruths
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 11:38pm
As an elevator mechanic for over 24 years I have never had to remove passsangers in this manor. Makes me wonder what your mechanics are doing or not doing to allow this to happen. I wonder if the door on the unit where kick off. this might be why the car couldnt be moved.
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harumph
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 5:51pm
Let the lawsuits begin.
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True2The_Word
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 5:36pm
They rescued the people without asking their political preferance first?! Cool! I hope they keep up the good work.
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DagneyT
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 3:07pm
BTW, that was a ladder, not a latter, Blaze staff!
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- beckwill
  Posted on April 11, 2011 at 3:09pm
  The latter ladder was a ladder. :)
  Report Post »
- and to the republic
  Posted on April 11, 2011 at 3:14pm
  yeah, I was thinking the same thing. Just imagine how fast this rescue could have taken place if they had lowered a ladder rather than those no good for nothing latters….
  Report Post »
- Whiskey One Seven
  Posted on April 11, 2011 at 3:46pm
  Haha, good observation! I’m a fireman myself and thought the same thing.
  Report Post »
- UlyssesP
  Posted on April 11, 2011 at 4:16pm
  They do that kind of thing here at The Blaze often. Maybe a thesaurus would be a good idea editors?
  Report Post »
- Rayblue
  Posted on April 11, 2011 at 7:14pm
  Better latt than nedder
  Report Post »
DagneyT
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 3:06pm
Happy to see they were so well-behaved & mostly cheerful.
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- Salamander
  Posted on April 11, 2011 at 4:17pm
  New Yorkers are actually VERY resourceful! In BOTH WTC incidents (earlier attack and latter) they ‘sawed’ through the elevator shaft walls to extract themselves, using cellphone displays for light and car keys for cutting tools!
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- texanpatriot
  Posted on April 11, 2011 at 7:47pm
  I love New Youkers. I lived there 7 years and admired their spunk and willingness to work through anything. This is another example. The Firefighters are just like the rest – laid back, taking it easy and getting the job done.
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YHERALUNA
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 3:05pm
Makes me want a shower. Yuck.
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poverty.sucks
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 3:05pm
Awful to be enclosed in NYC subway urine smelling box.
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beckwill
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 3:03pm
#1 or #2?
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- cheezwhiz
  Posted on April 11, 2011 at 3:12pm
  #1 or #2?
  ————-
  Why do you want to bring in Obama and Biden into this story ?
  :D
  Report Post »
- Showtime
  Posted on April 11, 2011 at 3:33pm
  Stairs are looking better and better.
  Report Post »
- Obama Bin Lying
  Posted on April 11, 2011 at 4:01pm
  I heard Biden got stuck on an escalator…..it stopped and he was stranded there for hours
  Report Post »
- Showtime
  Posted on April 11, 2011 at 4:52pm
  @Obama Bin Lying
  Posted on April 11, 2011 at 4:01pm
  I heard Biden got stuck on an escalator…..it stopped and he was stranded there for hours
  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
  And the b—–d who got him out wasn’t fired?
  Report Post »
- Cemoto78
  Posted on April 11, 2011 at 6:54pm
  Sorry I ate that huge bean burrito everyone, but I was hungry. Anyone have a tissue I could use?
  Report Post »
- banjarmon
  Posted on April 11, 2011 at 10:22pm
  New York’s finest at it again….Thank you for your service.
  Report Post »

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