Six train passengers had a harrowing time at Kotturpuram MRTS station on Sunday afternoon when they were trapped inside a lift for more than an hour.
Around 12.15 p.m., the passengers entered the lift to go to the platform on the second floor of the station.
The elevator got stuck between the ground and first floors following a power disruption. The lift was brought to the ground floor by staff of the elevator company only after an hour.
J. Anwar (62), one of the passengers trapped in the elevator, said it was a frightening experience. “I came to Kotturpuram station to board a train to Triplicane. I cannot climb stairs due to ill health and, therefore, take the elevator,” he said.
After the elevator stopped, Anwar and the other five passengers pressed the alarm button to alert the railway staff. “But there was no response for nearly half an hour. The others in the lift even shouted for help,” he said.
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) that arrived at the scene later was joined by local residents and other passengers at the station.
“Some of the trapped passengers said it turned completely dark inside the elevator after it stopped. They managed to find the alarm button using the light on their mobile phones,” said an RPF constable.
Railway sources said this was not the first time passengers were trapped inside the elevator at Kotturpuram station. “Usually, the elevator starts running again, once restarted. But in this case, the power supply was affected. The operators depend on the lift manufacturer for assistance and it takes time for them to reach the station,” said a source.
Many passengers who use MRTS said lift operators and maintenance staff were often missing on the station’s premises, throughout the day.
“School children create nuisance playing in the elevator; there is nobody to stop them,” said L.M. Krishnan, a passenger.
