Emergency Rescue in Oklahoma School Elevator Prompts Safety Questions
A recent emergency situation in an Oklahoma City school elevator concluded with a positive ending; however, it left serious questions about the safety of the premises and potential negligence on the part of inspections.
Local authorities were called to respond to a 911 emergency at the Classen School for Advanced Studies when three middle school girls became trapped in an elevator shaft with approximately one foot of space separating them from the elevator above. The elevator, which was installed in the school in the mid 1990s, is intended for use only by students who cannot utilize the stairway, and a key is needed to gain access. The old style elevator contains a door/ gate opening system that is meant to lock if the elevator is in motion. Officials are investigating how the girls were able to both enter and exit the elevator if it was in motion, or why they did, according to reporting by News OK. The girls were removed successfully by emergency personnel and reportedly sustained no significant injuries.
A school official claimed the most current monthly examination of the elevator was performed on October 26 for which no safety issues were documented. But the yearly examinations mandated by the city were allegedly not performed in 2010 or 2011. School officials and local authorities are investigating the previous records further, as well as the maintenance policy and schedule to ensure future safety, as reported by News OK. If you’ve been injured in an accident that you think resulted from exposure to unsafe premises, contact the Oklahoma premises liability lawyers with the Maples Law Firm at 1(405) 705-5050 for a complimentary case review.