Girl, 8, Hurt In Escalator Accident At Garden State Plaza

PARAMUS, N.J. (CBSNewYork) – An 8-year-old girl was rushed to the hospital Friday with serious injuries after her leg became trapped in an escalator at the Macy’s in the Garden State Plaza Shopping Center, 1010 WINS’ Al Jones reported.

The girl, her mother and her younger brother were riding the escalator up from the store’s basement to the ground level just before noon when the girl’s right leg got caught in the landing section at the top of the escalator, police said. A bystander then pressed the emergency stop button, and police officers, rescue workers and several other people dismantled the landing area to free her leg, authorities said.

The victim, who police said is from Bergenfield, N.J., was treated at the store before being transported to Hackensack Medical Center with serious injuries to her leg and foot, police said.

The escalator was eventually blocked off. An engineer was examining the escalator Friday afternoon, and building inspectors and police were investigating the incident.

“Our immediate thoughts and prayers go out to the young girl and her family,” Macy’s said in a statement. “We are currently conducting a full internal investigation into this morning’s unfortunate incident at our store.”