Wayne Police officials said on Friday, April 15th, at approximately 5:00 p.m., the Wayne Police Department received a call that multiple juveniles were trapped in an elevator at Rockin’ Jump, located at 85 Willowbrook Boulevard.
Wayne Police Officers responded and confirmed that there were six juveniles (all approximately 13 years of age) in the elevator car stuck near the ground floor and that the doors would not open.
Police say a technician was called and attempted to operate the elevator from a control panel without success.
Wayne Fire Department Companies 1, 2 and 5 responded to the scene and determined that a high angle rescue was needed in order to remove the children from the elevator car.
Fire Company 2 Chief Paul Gleba assumed command and Fire Company 1 Chief Greg Laskowski assumed the role of operations chief.
Wayne Fire Department Special Response Team and Rescue 5 conducted the high-angle rescue procedures. Members Mike Leonard and Anthony Gabriel descended the elevator shaft to the hatch on the elevator car.
They systematically rescued each juvenile one at a time by rigging them to a line and hoisting them to the second floor.
The juveniles were taken to a Wayne First Aid Squad ambulance for evaluation. None required further medical attention and all were reunited with guardians and left the scene.
The Wayne Township Office of Emergency Management commends the Wayne Fire Department and all other involved first responders on conducting an effective and professional operation resulting in the safe rescue of multiple children.