Boy Dies in “Old and Poorly Maintained” Elevator in India

A 12-year-old boy died as a result of becoming trapped between the third and fourth floors in an elevator residents said was “old and poorly maintained” at an apartment building in Pimpri-Chinchwad, approximately 15 km northwest of Pune, India, on October 3, outlets including the Republic reported. The unit had iron gates rather than modern sliding doors and the boy’s “foot reportedly slipped out of the bars, causing the elevator to get stuck between floors,” the source observed. Hearing his screams, residents and his parents rushed to free him, calling the fire department when their attempts failed. The boy was rushed to a nearby hospital, but pronounced dead on arrival. Authorities are investigating whether a maintenance lapse or a mechanical fault contributed to the fatality.