Escalator Accident in China Kills Woman Moments after She Saved Her Son
On July 26, a horrifying accident in China claimed the life of a mother just minutes after she saved her son from the same fate. Security camera footage depicts a seemingly innocent scene. A 31 year old mother is riding up the elevator with her young son. The escalator almost reaches the top and the woman lifts her son up in anticipation of stepping off. As she does, a metal panel collapses under her feet and she falls into the gap. With just her upper body remaining above the metal structure, she pushes her son forward to safety. A mall employee grabs the child and others attempt to save the mother, but she tragically disappears through the hole into the escalator shaft.
A four hour rescue mission began, but sadly the woman was found dead after rescuers cut the escalator open. Officials in Jingzhou are blaming human error for the accident. Allegedly, mall employees noticed that the panel was loose and protruding about five minutes before the accident but did not stop the escalator or take steps to repair it.
This is the most recent in a series of escalator accidents across the world. In another part of China, a toddler's left hand and arm caught in the gap of an escalator after he tripped and fell. He suffered serious injuries in the incident. In Beijing, a boy's foot also became trapped in the escalator.
Sadly, the growing problem of faulty escalators is not limited to China, as similar stories like this are being recounted across the world.
Escalator Safety Questioned
The majority of escalator accidents involve falls or injuries in the area where the escalator meets the floor. This escalator design has existed since the late 1800's and many feel that it needs to be reevaluated.
Escalators can become even more unsafe due to improper maintenance, as evidenced by the recent China death. Moreover, they must be routinely checked for any loose parts or sign of wear and tear. Mall and shopping center employees should be trained in looking for signs of escalator damage and companies should routinely have repairmen conduct inspections.
If you have been injured in an escalator accident, contact an attorney as soon as possible. Your personal injury attorney will investigate the accident and uncover signs of negligence, including employees who notice a problem yet do nothing to fix it. Depending upon the circumstances surrounding the accident, you might have a viable claim for compensation against either the property owner or the creator/manufacturer of the escalator.
Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law: Put Our Over 39 Years of Experience to Work on Your Case!
If you have been injured in any type of accident involving negligence, contact the Georgia Personal Injury Attorneys at Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law. Our firm offers over 39 years in personal injury, premises liability, and defective product cases. We accept cases across Georgia and in the Southeast. Prompt action is vital to the success of your personal injury case. As such, do not delay in seeking legal assistance as your time to file a claim after the accident is limited. Call Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law, 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.