Firefighters Remove Three Con Edison Workers from Elevator Shaft

Firefighters at work above the elevator shaft

Firefighters in the Bronx rescued three Con Edison workers who became trapped when an elevator lost power in an underground tunnel on Feb. 12.

At 8:33 a.m. the workers were riding an elevator down a 260 foot tunnel when they lost electric power and became stuck 125 feet below ground.

The workers were unable to remove themselves, so members of Battalion 14, Rescue 3, Rescue 4, Squad 41, Ladder 42 and Engine 73 performed a confined space rescue to remove the victims.

After ensuring there was no power to the vessel, an officer and three firefighters secured the elevator to ensure it did not fall the remaining 135 feet.

Since the workers were not injured, the firefighters put them in harnesses, attached ropes and had them climb out the manway.

“They did a phenomenal job, they’re the best,” said Battalion Chief Fred Lafemina. “It was a very smooth operation.”