A terrifying scene unfolded inside a packed Broadway theater in New York City after an escalator suddenly malfunctioned during a performance night at the famous Gershwin Theatre, leaving multiple children injured.
According to the New York City Police Department, 11 children and one adult were hurt Wednesday evening when an escalator inside the theater abruptly stopped, causing people to tumble forward in a chain reaction accident.
The incident happened around 5:12 p.m. inside the theater, which is currently home to the smash-hit Broadway musical Wicked.
Police said several people suffered minor injuries during the frightening fall and multiple children were taken to local hospitals for treatment. Authorities said all victims are currently in stable condition.
Investigators are still trying to determine exactly what caused the malfunction, but police sources told local media they believe a child’s shoelace may have become caught inside the escalator moments before it suddenly stopped.
Despite the chaos, the scheduled evening performance of Wicked still went on later that night, and theater officials have not announced any cancellations for upcoming shows.
The Gershwin Theatre, one of Broadway’s largest and most famous venues, first opened in 1972 and has hosted Wicked continuously since the musical debuted there in 2003.
The New York City Department of Buildings is now investigating the incident.
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