The First Street incline elevator is installed in this file photo.Chattanooga firefighters rescued a woman from an elevator shaft late Tuesday night, according to a news release.
The woman reportedly fell down the shaft at the corner of Market and 1st Street shortly before 11 p.m. According to Battalion Chief Lesley Morgan, the elevator is at the lower end of the tram that carries pedestrians partway up the 1st Street hill.
As the woman was stepping out of the elevator, she fell approximately 10 feet down to the bottom of the shaft.
According to Morgan, the woman was injured during the fall and could not get out on her own.
A Hamilton County EMS medic stayed with the woman while the Urban Search and Rescue Team set up rescue operations.
Captain David Thompson, Jr. with Squad 1 said they hooked a rope and pulley system up to the aerial on Quint 1 and used it as a crane. They placed the victim in a Stokes basket and lifted her from the shaft.
EMS personnel took over and the woman was transported to Erlanger Medical Center for treatment.
The cause of the accident is under investigation. No further details on the woman's condition are identity are currently available.