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Subscribe to RSSCell phone video captures commuters panicking after an ascending escalator changed direction and started to head back down during the morning rush hour at a rail station in New Jersey, causing some frightened people to jump off mid-ride.
Six people were injured during their Monday morning commute in Jersey City when an escalator packed with commuters inexplicably changed directions, sending riders tumbling down the moving stairwell.
At 9 a.m., passengers were traveling up from a station platform at the Exchange Place PATH station in Jersey City, N.J., when it suddenly started moving downward.
Port Authority spokesman Ron Marsico said officials don't know what caused the escalator to malfunction.
Cell phone video footage shows passengers stepping forward quickly in an effort to counteract the escalator. Several started yelling, "Stop!" They quickly gave in, however, and the escalator carried them down to the lower platform. A law enforcement official arrived within a minute.
Five people were taken to the hospital with injuries that are not life-threatening, Marsico said.
Commuter Nick Lukish said he was headed to work and was halfway up the escalator when it started going down.
The 33-year-old said he some people on the escalator jumped onto an adjacent escalator. Lukish says he sustained cuts and bruises.
Two of the station's three escalators have been shut down. Exchange Place remained open to commuters Monday.