Power outage traps 3 people in elevator 200 feet down from WA rescuers’ access point
Three people stuck in an elevator were hundreds of feet from an access point, Washington fire officials said.
Rescuers responded to a high-rise apartment building at 7:09 p.m. Dec. 12, the Seattle Fire Department said in a Facebook post.
The three occupants were stuck near the sixth floor after stopping in a “blind shaft” that didn’t have a door out, rescuers said.
The closest rescue point turned out to be on the 21st floor, so firefighters came up with a solution that involved a “rope rescue platform.”
A rescuer rappelled 200 feet down the elevator shaft to reach the people, officials said.
Each person was put in a harness and hoisted up the shaft to safety.
“No one was injured” in the incident, fire officials said.
Facebook users shared some thoughts about the rescue.
“200ft down..nah..I’m good..drop me down some Uber eats and a battery pack to keep my phone charged,” one person commented. “This isn’t mission impossible I can wait until power comes back.”
“Yikes! My worst fear! Thank heaven for heroes!” another person commented.
“I’d be in full panic attack mode trapped in there,” someone else wrote.
This story was originally published December 16, 2024 at 4:45 PM with the headline "Power outage traps 3 people in elevator 200 feet down from WA rescuers’ access point."
