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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Runaway Elevator Hits The Ceiling

Compiled From Wire Services

An out-of-control elevator in the Empire State Building passed the 80th floor Saturday and slammed into the ceiling of the elevator shaft, injuring four tourists, police said.

The passengers were stranded for about an hour and a half. Crews working by flashlight in the elevator shaft sawed a hole in the elevator and lifted them to safety.

“They said it started to shimmy and shake around the 20th floor,” said paramedic Adam Brynes.

The tourists were headed for the building’s 80th floor shortly after noon when the elevator’s safety devices apparently failed, police said.

After hitting the ceiling, the elevator fell and stalled between the 79th and 80th floors.

The Empire State Building has 102 stories. The top is reached by a separate elevator.