Key Facts
- Incident date
- Friday morning around 7 a.m.
- Location
- Davis Square Station, Somerville, Massachusetts
- Injury
- Hand injury; expected to be OK
- Good Samaritan action
- Hit emergency stop button and helped remove clothing
- Previous fatal incident
- Steven McCluskey died in February after clothing got trapped
- MBTA safety reminder
- Press red 'STOP' button at top and bottom of escalator in emergencies
Background
Davis Square Station, an MBTA station in Somerville, Massachusetts, has been the site of two escalator incidents in recent months. In February, Steven McCluskey died after his clothing became trapped in the escalator mechanism. Surveillance video showed him riding to the bottom, falling, and becoming entangled. Despite attempts to free himself, he became motionless. Over 20 minutes passed before police and EMTs arrived. The medical examiner determined that the trapped clothing choked him to death.
The February incident prompted public scrutiny of escalator safety at the station. The MBTA later issued safety reminders, including holding handrails, using caution with children or luggage, and being aware of loose clothing. These reminders are also played at all MBTA stations.
Current Situation
On Friday morning around 7 a.m., a woman fell on the same escalator at Davis Square Station when her clothing got caught in the mechanism at the bottom. A good Samaritan riding ahead of her hit the emergency stop button and helped her remove the piece of clothing, according to an MBTA spokesperson.
The woman was transported to an area hospital for a hand injury and is expected to be OK. MBTA personnel and the Somerville Fire Department responded and assisted. Surveillance video released Monday showed the incident. The MBTA thanked the fellow rider and reminded the public that anyone can stop an escalator by pressing the red 'STOP' button at the top and bottom of each escalator.
| Date | Victim | Outcome | Response Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| February (exact date not specified) | Steven McCluskey | Died | Over 20 minutes |
| Friday (exact date not specified) | Unnamed woman | Hand injury, expected to recover | Not specified |
Impacts
The incident highlights the potential danger of escalator use, particularly for riders wearing loose clothing. The quick action of the good Samaritan likely prevented a more serious outcome, underscoring the importance of emergency stop buttons and public awareness.
For MBTA riders, this event may increase vigilance when using escalators. The MBTA's safety reminders, already in place, may be reinforced. The station's escalator has now been involved in two incidents within months, raising questions about maintenance and safety protocols, though no official statements about escalator condition have been made.
Future Outlook
Scenario analysis: The possibilities below are not certain predictions.
If the MBTA conducts a thorough review of escalator safety at Davis Square Station, it could lead to enhanced maintenance or additional safety measures. However, no such review has been announced.
Should another incident occur, public pressure might increase for more immediate response times or better emergency procedures. Conversely, if the safety reminders prove effective, similar incidents may be prevented in the future.
The MBTA has not indicated any plans to replace or modify the escalator. The outcome depends on whether the agency takes proactive steps based on these repeated incidents.
Source: wesh.com
