Indianapolis, Indiana – Firefighters rescued two people from a stalled elevator downtown Tuesday, prompting a technical response and medical evaluation.
According to the Indianapolis Fire Department, crews were dispatched at 12:15 p.m. to an apartment building in the 1100 block of Pennsylvania Street after reports of an elevator malfunction. Two occupants were trapped inside an elevator that became stuck between floors one and two.
Fire officials said the occupants told responders they were traveling from floor one to floor six when the elevator abruptly stopped and shook. The control panel then displayed an “out of service” message. Apartment management contacted 911, leading to the fire department response.
Firefighters conducted a working Elevator Technical Rescue, which involved manually stabilizing the elevator car to prevent unwanted movement and setting up a safety line for rescuers and occupants. The extraction process took approximately 45 minutes, officials said.
Both occupants were safely removed. A 60-year-old man was transported to Methodist Hospital as a precautionary measure for medical evaluation. The second occupant declined transport, according to IFD. No serious injuries were reported.
Elevator technical rescues require specialized training and coordination due to the risks posed by mechanical failure and limited space. The department noted that this incident marked IFD’s 13th Elevator Technical Rescue in 2025, and the fourth working elevator rescue performed so far this year.
Incidents like this can cause delays and disruptions for residents, particularly in high-density apartment buildings downtown, where elevators are essential for daily commuting and accessibility.
The cause of the elevator malfunction was not immediately released. Fire officials said building management would be responsible for follow-up inspections and repairs.
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