honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted at 12:50 a.m., Sunday, December 30, 2007

NFL: 5 hurt in escalator at Giants Stadium

Advertiser Staff

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — An escalator malfunction injured at least five people at Giants Stadium last night, shortly after the New England Patriots beat the New York Giants 38-35 for a perfect 16-0 regular season.

The escalator at Gate A apparently failed at the bottom steps, state police Lt. Jim Crann said. The escalator runs from the stadium's upper tier to the ground level. Crann said it appeared some bottom steps became bent, causing some fans to sustain foot and leg injuries.

The injured were taken to Hackensack University Medical Center, where they were still being treated early today. A message left for a hospital spokesman was not immediately returned.

James Minish, executive vice president of facilities for the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority, which operates the stadium, said one person appeared to have a fractured leg, while two others had scrapes and bruises.

Two more fans were apparently more seriously injured, but Minish did not have further details on their condition.

"The elevator apparently started running fast" Minish said.

He said the incident would be thoroughly investigated, and the escalators "would not be used for a while."

All the stadium's escalators were turned off after the incident and will not be used today for the New York Jets and the Kansas City Chiefs game.