Macy's Wooden Escalator Severs Child's Finger

Macy's wooden escalators at the flagship Herald Square location have claimed another phalange: A four-year-old's finger was "sliced off by one of the store's famous old wooden escalators," according to the Post.

The paper says, "Maxlee Gell was riding with his mother, Natalia, on the third floor shortly after 7 p.m. when he stooped to pick up a bottle of water he dropped and 'his finger got caught in the escalator.'" Cops were able to put the severed finger on ice and take it to Bellevue Hospital, "where doctors were attempting to reattach it last night." Macy's had no other comment except to say that the escalators are "properly maintained." However, WPIX ran a report last December, "According to department of buildings violations, the Macy's flagship store has been guilty of shoddy escalator upkeep for years. In just the last two - records show Macy's owes more than $48,000 for failed escalator inspections."

The wooden escalators are certainly relics of another time—Forgotten NY has a piece on them—and there have been previous injuries: In 2005, a little girl's finger was sliced off when she tripped on them and, in 2006, a two-year-old's thumb was nearly severed during the Christmas rush. Here's video of them in action:

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By Jen Chung in News on July 3, 2010 3:53 PM

Comments [rss]

ozik

There aren't bad ESCALATORS, just bad OWNERS. You have this city trash that BEATS THEIR ESCALATORS to get THEM MEAN and their the PROBLEM. My ESCALATOR at home is a SWEETY and would never hurt ANYONE.

And, uh, BLOOM-TURD.

GOP

Wooden escalators make me drop my water bottle more than metal ones.

Pålægpåtoppenafsmørrebrød

With the banning of smoking in New York, the hazard of dropping your lit cigarette is gone, thus these things will never be replaced. That's what caused the King's Cross Fire in London.

Billiamsburg

But but but Forgotten NYC sayz everything older is better.

robingee

Yeah I blame them too!

Cautious Pessimist

The kid's parents obviously never saw Mallrats.

robingee

Hey, the reattached the finger. What's the beef?

chicolinos

wood, metal, still the same risk. I remember as a child being yanked up upon approaching those and any other escalators....

gimme

fee fi fo fum

i am the wooden escalator

and i like wee one's

fingers and thumbs

fee fi fo fum

and i just ate another little one

gnash gnash gnash

r1b2

If these are outmoded, and still in use due to some nostalgic feelings, but newer safer ones are available, then they should be gone ASAP.

interlard

Can we see a video that shows clearly if there is a design flaw that encourages finger slicing on these particular wooden escalators? If there is one, it should be rectified.

All escalators are designed for people who stand clear of the sides, with their fingers out of harm's way. Anything else (especially with kids) is asking for trouble.

Of course, I feel terrible for everyone involved in these incidents. I expect the family will sue because they now have over-priced medical bills to pay, but it doesn't mean Macy's is at fault.