Theme Park Insider

Several injured in escalator mishap at Universal Studios Hollywood

By Robert Niles
Published: November 17, 2008 at 6:50 PM
Getting reports that at least two eight people were hospitalized when the Starway escalators that connect the upper and lower lots at Universal Studios Hollywood malfunctioned this afternoon.

The escalators reportedly stopped suddenly, or reversed, toppling riders. Several were treated at the scene. No other word yet on the reported hospitalizations.

Update: E-mail from a reader. Keeping him anonymous.

My daughter and I were on the escalator when it broke. There was 20 - 25 people on it and when it snapped it came in reverse due to all the weight on it. I'm surprised that there isn't a brake to stop that from happening as in elevators and I was shocked to find that none of 7+ universal staff that responded offered any assistance to the injured except to stand around talking in their radios, shoo away anyone that witnessed the accident or was only brused and shaken by it, and to block off the escalator. Joseph Pardieu manager of guest relations told me later that their staff is not trained in first aid or have first aid kits available. They leave all that to emergency services.

So don't have a accident at the park since no one there will come to your aid they would rather watch you bleed than give you something as simple and a compress bandage to cover your wounds until medical help arrives.

On a positive note when emergency services arrived about 10 minutes later they were outstanding in the conduct of their duties. Park staff on the other hand seemed unwilling to take any witness personal information down and went so far as to inform us at the Guest relations center that they would not be offering refunds and I could fill out a complaint form if I wanted to.

Readers' Opinions

From Larry Shimokaji on November 18, 2008 at 10:41 AM
I have work at the park for 5 years and I do know that they have men from the company come in to check out the system on a daily basis
From Robert Niles on November 18, 2008 at 12:43 PM
It sounds like the injuries turned out to be relatively minor.
From april gugiana on November 18, 2008 at 4:16 PM
no we were not slightly injured. I was there i witnessed people tumbling down on the others my husband hit his head there were people badly injured with significant injuried not just bumps and bruises
From Robert Niles on November 18, 2008 at 5:53 PM
Finally, a first-hand account.

Details, please? How many people did you see hurt? What were the injuries? Were you among those taken to the hospital, or did you know someone who was? What was Universal's response?

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