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Five Rescued From Boston High-Rise Elevator Shaft
3 Mar
Summary
- Five individuals were rescued from a Boston high-rise elevator.
- Firefighters rappelled down over 200 feet to reach trapped passengers.
- The rescue occurred in an express elevator shaft with no intermediate doors.
A high-stakes rescue operation unfolded Monday night in Boston, successfully extracting five individuals trapped in an elevator. The incident occurred at 60 State Street, where the elevator became stuck in a blind shaft near the third floor.
Boston Deputy Fire Chief James Greene described the rescue as dangerous, involving specially trained technical rescue firefighters. They were lowered over 200 feet from the 18th floor using ropes to reach the passengers. The unique design of the express elevator, which runs directly from the first to the 18th floor without any stops, complicated the rescue efforts.
Firefighters made contact with the trapped individuals, fitted them with harnesses, and then hoisted them up to the 18th floor. Greene commended the firefighters for their expertise and for keeping the passengers calm throughout the ordeal. The elevator company is investigating the cause of the malfunction. No one was harmed during the rescue.
