5 schoolkids get trapped in faulty lift at Reay Road station, rescued after an hour
The kids were rescued after an hour by fire brigade, RPF and GRP staff
Five schoolboys were trapped inside an elevator at Reay Road station for nearly an hour on Tuesday afternoon after it unexpectedly stopped working.
Yamin Shaikh, Noor Amin Shaikh, Sujain Sardar, Armaan Khan, and Masoom Raza – all Reay Road residents – were on their way home around 1 pm when they boarded the lift from the foot-over-bridge at Wadala-end of platform 2.
The kids take the same lift on their way to school and back every day. However, yesterday, it stopped midway between the first and second floors, leaving them trapped inside.
According to railway officials, an external damage to the door skate – an internal component of the automatic door – triggered the inbuilt safety device, causing the lift to stop mid-route. Further, the lift operator was also absent from duty.
Fortunately, the kids’ cries for help were heard by a commuter, who alerted Railway Protection Force officials. Subsequently, head constable Nitin Deore and head constable Chandrakant Rupade of RPF Wadala Road rushed to their rescue.
The limited ventilation and dehydration, due to lack of water, worsened the situation inside the lift. But, officials soon established contact with the kids and assured them of a prompt rescue.
Shortly after, officials from Mandovi fire station reached the spot and railway technicians managed to pry the door open. Since the lift was stuck between the floors, the kids had to be pulled out one after the other by the fire brigade, RPF and GRP staff.
The boys were out of the lift around 2 pm, after which a doctor from Byculla railway hospital examined them and declared them fit to go home. The school kids were later handed over to GRP officials, who reunited them with their respective families.
The lift has been shut for repairs currently, CR Chief PRO Sunil Udasi said.
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