NYC Subway Elevator Rescue Caught on Video

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.