Man freed from stuck elevator
By Jenn Smith, Berkshire Eagle Staff
Article Last Updated: 07/22/2008 11:21:40 AM EDT


Tuesday, July 22
PITTSFIELD - One city resident had a rough start to the day - being stuck in an elevator for nearly a half hour.
Members of the Pittsfield Fire Department responded to a call at 7 North St. between 7:30 and 8 a.m. this morning. The building includes the headquarters of the Berkshire District Attorney's Office, but the incident took place on the residential side of the structure.

Deputy Fire Chief Bruce Kilmer said the elevator stopped at the fourth floor but its doors would not open.

Firefighters first attempted to use a copy of an elevator key but with no success. They then shut down the elevator and used various tools to gain entry.

Meanwhile, officials alerted the building's maintenance supervisor as well as Otis Elevator Company, the elevator's manufacturer.

After about 30 minutes, rescuers were able to free the individual.

According to Kilmer, it is not unusual for this to occur.

"It's happened throughout the city, between the hospital, Crowne Plaza and some of these older buildings on North Street," he said.