PANIC erupted when a crowded lift in Durban suddenly got stuck.
Twenty people, including a pregnant woman, spent more than two hours trapped in the lift at the Durban Bay House in the CBD on Tuesday.
It’s alleged a technician from the lift company was on site but failed to access the lift, which was stuck between the 15th and 16th floors.
Apparently, he made several attempts and emergency services were then called in to
assist.
After some time the lift was lowered to the fourth floor, where the doors were finally opened by the lift technician.
Netcare 911 spokesman Nick Dollman said advanced life support paramedics and ambulance crews were on hand and assessed the occupants as they exited the lift.
He said the people were grouped according to those requiring medical assistance and those who did not.
“Some of the occupants collapsed when they exited the lift,” said Dollman.
He said paramedics attended to six people, including the pregnant lady.
“All six were in a stable condition and were transported to hospital for further assessment and care,” he said.
A street vendor who operates from a pavement near the building, Bongiwe Mkhize (47), said she thought people had died because they were stuck for a long time.
“Most of them didn’t panic too much because they left after they were released,”
she said.
Security guards working in the building said management left immediately after
the incident.