State Report Shows MARTA Escalator in Beyoncé Concert Accident Missing Several Parts

A new state report shows that the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) escalator involved in the post-Beyoncé concert accident in Atlanta, Georgia, on July 14 was missing several parts, WSB-TV 2 reports. Multiple people were injured at a MARTA stop while leaving a Beyoncé concert when a crowded escalator malfunctioned. A recent report by the Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner says that all three belts from the escalator’s top drive motor were found to be missing and another was missing from the bottom drive motor where two others were found to have “walked to the top side of the pulleys.” However, the report states that it was unclear if the belts were missing at the time of the incident or if they came off due to the incident. The report says the high passenger volume that night and the motor drive belts missing “would have caused an over-normal operating speed condition, leading to the injuries,” which were experienced by 13 people. The escalator remains inoperable for repairs. The escalator will be inspected again before it is returned to service.