Person With Medical Condition, 2 Others Trapped In Elevator Rescued By Branford Firefighters: FD

BRANFORD, CT — Three people trapped in an elevator in Branford, including one person with a medical condition, were rescued by firefighters earlier this week, according to the Branford Fire Department.

In a news release posted to Facebook, fire officials said crews were called to Business Park Drive on Monday around 11 a.m. after receiving a report of three people trapped in an elevator.

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When crews arrived, they found a machine room-less, or MRL, elevator stalled between the first and second floors with three uninjured people inside, fire officials said.

As crews tried to return the elevator car to service, an elevator technician was called to the building, according to fire officials.

"Despite coordinated efforts by both fire personnel and the elevator technician, the elevator could not be reset or moved—a situation that, while uncommon, is not unprecedented," fire officials said in a news release.

Crews established visual contact with the occupants of the elevator and ensured their continued safety, fire officials said.

With mechanical options exhausted, crews developed a plan to remove the occupants through the top hatch of the elevator using a folding ladder, however they determined one occupant had a medical condition that prevented them from climbing the ladder safely, according to fire officials.

Additional resources were requested, including mutual aid from the Guilford Fire Department, fire officials said.

Crews then worked together to secure the elevator car against any unintended movement and transitioned to a rope rescue operation, according to fire officials.

A rescuer made entry into the elevator to assist the occupants and place them into harnesses, fire officials said.

Using a portable artificial high directional device, crews safely raised the occupant with the medical condition out of the elevator and the remaining occupants were able to climb the ladder with assistance from rescuers, according to fire officials.

Each occupant was safely removed from the elevator without injury, fire officials said.

"This incident highlights the importance of training, teamwork, and coordination between fire personnel and industry professionals to ensure a safe and successful outcome," fire officials said in a news release.

The department's full post, which includes photos of the rescue, can be viewed here.