Mum trapped in lift at train stop
EVERYONE hates waiting at the train station, but most people don't have to wait for almost an hour trapped inside a small, enclosed space with four other passengers, some luggage and a wheelchair. Michelle Hogan did.
"It was absolutely horrifying," the Caboolture woman said.
"It was the most harrowing, horrifying experience I've ever had in my life.
Michelle and her 24-year-old daughter, Heather Feierabend, where heading home from Carseldine at about four last Tuesday afternoon when the incident occurred.
Michelle's bad knees forced her to take the lift while Heather opted for the stairs.
When the lift became stuck it left Michelle and Heather, who has mild intellectual difficulties and is severely epileptic, separated.
"I was petrified," Michelle said. "She has no concept of stranger danger.
"I was panicking because I couldn't get out of the lift to get to her in case she got stressed and had a seizure.
Michelle said one man trapped in the lift was extremely claustrophobic and became more and more agitated as he tried to reach his wife and baby outside.
"He was becoming rather volatile," she said.
"(He) indicated he was going to get the knife he had in his bag and cut his way out."
Michelle said it seemed it was actually his repeated attempts to throw himself against the door that eventually got them moving again.
Queensland Rail chief customer officer Cathy Heffernan said staff did all they could to free the trapped passengers.
"Queensland Rail passenger service officers kept in regular contact with our customers in the lift to keep them updated about the situation," she said.
"They were contacted four times in the space of half an hour by Passenger Service Officers, via the intercom in the lift.
"They also continually monitored the customers on CCTV.
"The customers were able to leave the lift around 5pm."
But Michelle said Queensland Rail staff were notably absent while all the drama took place.
"One staff member came up to the lift and was knocking on the door and trying to get it open and then just walked away," Michelle said.
"We never saw Queensland Rail again.
"It was an epic failure on Queensland Rail's behalf."
Queensland Rail is investigating the malfunction.
