We often rely on escalators to help us skip the stairs, however a fear of them is apparently quite common. Escalaphobia which is the fear of escalators affects millions of people all over the world.
Although it might seem like an irrational fear, there have been a number of scary instances which could result in someone developing such a fear.
In a recent scary experience, a three-year-old boy was forced to endure pain for almost an hour after his right foot got stuck in an escalator at a shopping mall in Putrajaya.
According to BERNAMA, the incident which happened at 1:30pm occurred when the boy was taking the escalator down from the second floor with his parents when his right foot suddenly got caught in the side of the moving escalator.
Selangor Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) director, Norazam Khamis said that seven firemen from the Cyberjaya fire station rushed to the scene after receiving an emergency call at 1:48pm.
“The victim’s foot was extricated half-an-hour later and he was taken to the Serdang Hospital for further treatment.”
A witness known only as Nurul said that she heard a loud scream and saw the boy who had his foot stuck in the escalator.
“Fortunately someone quickly pressed the emergency button to stop the escalator. The toddler cried for almost one hour before the fire and rescue department came to extricate his foot,” she said.
Meanwhile, checks at the location found that the management of the shopping mall has since closed off the escalator to visitors.
We hope that the boy recovers swiftly and without any serious complications.
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