A woman rode an elevator to the 12th floor and saw the outer door close before she can get out. She called the elevator operator, sparking discussion about what to do in the same situation.
In a video with over 95,000 views, TikToker Ashley Tobin (@ashleytobin) told the operator that the pool elevator wouldn’t let them out at their destination. The operator asked her to step closer to the speaker because he couldn’t hear her explaining the situation.
“The door opened and then another door closed, and we can’t get out,” she explains with her mouth next to the speaker.
What Should You Do If You Get Stuck In An Elevator?
Many elevators have a button that lets you connect to an operator through a speaker. However, it’s also a good idea to call the fire department to let them know you’re stuck, according to law firm Rochelle McCullough. 9-1-1 may have a faster response time than the elevator maintenance company, especially if there’s an emergency in the lift.
Most importantly, you shouldn’t try to get the elevator to open up on your own or to climb out unless you’re in immediate danger.
Others who got stuck in an elevator shared their experiences on the r/mildlyinfuriating subreddit.
“Been stuck in elevators about 12 times in my life. The longest wait time, which was 3 hours, was coincidentally in a hospital. How on earth does that place have the slowest response time?!?” one commenter shared.
Maintenance workers on the thread also assured elevator riders that they shouldn’t be scared if the lift gets stuck.
“Being stuck in an elevator (I can only speak for America) is extremely safe. They don’t drop without warning liked they do in every single movie you’ve ever seen,” one worker wrote.
A second explained, “Most elevators are designed in a way where they could never freefall, they fall down in a zigzag pattern so they won’t build up too much momentum.”
What Would Viewers Do?
In the comments of the viral video, other viewers shared how they would have reacted in the same situation. Many praise Tobin for keeping her cool when the operator couldn’t hear her.
“Immediately freaking out!!! I’d lose my s—!” one exclaimed.
A second viewer remarked, “Nope I’d faint.”
“Oh no you did amazing I would have lost my mind,” another said.
“When he said talk close I would have just screamed in the speaker as loud as I could. and called 911,” a fourth wrote.
Others said they also got stuck in an elevator, sharing how the situation resolved.
“This is why I don’t go in elevators. I got stuck in one in Laughlin. I will never go in one unless I really really have to,” a commenter said.
“This happened to me!! I flipped my sh–!! To hell with that speaker!! I called to front deck! Lady had the nerve to answer the phone bubbly and happy!!” another shared.
BroBible reached out to Tobin via TikTok direct message and comment. We will update the story when she replies.