Man Trapped in Abandoned Building Elevator Shaft Rescued After 6 Hours

A harrowing rescue unfolded in Pittsburgh after a man fell down an elevator shaft in an abandoned building. The incident occurred on Thursday, August 28, around 2:30 p.m., when first responders were called to the 900 block of River Avenue.

The man reportedly fell between 8 and 12 feet down the elevator shaft without light or ventilation inside the abandoned Microsoft facility. EMS crews arrived at the scene and found the man trapped in the pit, with one leg pinned. Medics gave him fluids and pain control medication before lowering a medic down to perform a technical rescue.

The man was conscious but in a 'horrible position' for about six hours, according to Pittsburgh EMS District Chief Mike Rogers. He was eventually hoisted out of the elevator shaft and taken to a hospital in stable condition, despite suffering multiple leg fractures.