Water Neck-High in Elevator, Two Trapped

Staten Island, New York - In his 34 years with the New York Fire Department, Capt. James Melvin has seen his share of stuck elevators. But he had never witnessed anything quite like what happened on Staten Island. Two construction workers were stuck in an elevator that was filling with water, Captain Melvin explained. By the time firefighters arrived, the water level had risen as high as the two trapped men’s necks. “We’ve had plenty of elevator emergencies, but never one that’s down sinking in water,” said Captain Melvin, of Ladder Company 86 on Richmond Avenue. The men were working in the former Staten Island Hotel in Graniteville, which is being renovated into an assisted-living residence for older people.  When the elevator neared the basement level, “it hit water and started sinking slowly, until it sank to the bottom of the shaft,” Captain Melvin said.  More