Sudbury firefighters rescue person trapped in school elevator

CTV News

Sudbury firefighters had to use special equipment to extricate a person trapped inside a local school's elevator on Monday.

Crews from Ladder 1 and Engine 1 were called to Marymount Academy on Remembrance Day after a mechanical issue caused the elevator to stop between floors.

"The crews were able to isolate the power to the elevator to safely rescue the person," Sudbury Professional Fire Fighters said in a social media post.

"Firefighters were able to gain access to the elevator car to assess the patient and prepare them for extrication."

It took rescuers about an hour using a rope system to raise the trapped individual up and out of the elevator shaft, Greater Sudbury deputy fire chief Jesse Oshell told CTVNewsNorthernOntario.ca in a text.

"At no time was any person in distress and no medical attention was required," Oshell said.

Crews from Engine 1 and Ladder one have specialized training to perform rope, elevator, tower and confined space rescues.

Marymount is an all-girls middle and high school on D'Youville Street in the Donovan area that is part of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board.

In the board had this to say in a statement: 

"The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is grateful for the prompt assistance from the Greater Sudbury Fire Department following an operational issue with an elevator. Fortunately, we were able to communicate with the individual until they were able to safely exit the elevator. We can confirm that there were no injuries as a result of the incident. Out of respect for the individual involved, we will not be disclosing any identifying information."

The school shares a building with the school board. 

 

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