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| The escalator in Macy's |
(Scroll down for video) A girl’s leg was crushed after getting sucked into an escalator, according to emergency workers in New Jersey.
The incident occurred to an 8-year-old on Friday morning when her right leg got caught in an escalator at Macy's department store located at the Westfield Garden State Plaza, authorities said.
The girl, who lives in Bergenfield, was riding on the escalator from the basement level along with her mother and younger brother, when her right leg became trapped when she approached the main floor, Police Chief Kenneth R. Ehrenberg said in a statement.
A witness pressed the emergency stop button, which turned off the escalator.
Police officers, rescue workers and several civilians dismantled the landing area of the escalator to free her leg, Ehrenberg said.
Medical assistance was provided to the girl at the scene before she was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center with serious injuries to the lower leg and right foot, police said.
Macy’s has issued the following statement on Friday:
"Our immediate thoughts and prayers are with the girl and her family. Currently, we are undertaking a thorough internal investigation of the unfortunate incident that occurred this morning in our store."
Witnesses reported that the girl was riding on the escalator when it "swallowed her foot," police said.
The police department and building inspectors are investigating the 11:14 am incident.