Univisíon, one of the larger Spanish Programming channels in the United States, reported a terrible tragedy that occurred in New York City.  Two brothers, one 8 years old, and the other 5, got stuck in between floors in the elevator of their housing complex.  One of the brothers, 5 year old Jacob Neuman tried to escape the failed elevator and fell 10 stories down the elevator shaft.

As reported in the New York Times, the elevator became stuck between floor 11 and floor 10.  Young Jacob tried to jump to floor 10 and lost his footing.  The elevator is maintained by the New York Housing Authority and numerous residents have lodged complaints over the past 12 months.

There almost certainly will be an investigation into the maintenance of the elevator to see if this tragedy could have been prevented.  Although, I understand, the children probably became frightened and possibly panicked, but they should have stayed were they were and waited for help.  I certainly am not blaming the children, but I am saying that something like this could serve as a reminder to review elevator safety with our own children. 

Otis Worldwide, one of the largest elevator companies in the world has published elevator safety tips that can be reviewed with family.  Although a tragedy like this is likely an anomaly, we should all be cautious of the potential hazards elevators pose.