Elevator breakdown in the Grand Canyon Caverns trapped a group of tourists 210ft below the ground

The Grand Canyon Caverns offer an exciting experience of touring 210 ft underground. However, the unexpected can happen at any time. A team of five were stuck for more than 24 hours after they completed a 30-minute tour of the caverns. The group consisted of a man, his wife with two young children and at least two elderly persons in their 70s. They were 21 storeys below ground level and preparing to return when they discovered the lift was not working. It was Sunday night local time and panic set in. The arrangement allows the tourists to tour an ancient cave and stay in an underground hotel 120 miles southwest of Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. Obviously, it was a tricky situation. Fortunately, one member of the group climbed the emergency staircase to the surface. He was thus able to notify the authorities who took necessary measures to rescue the trapped tourists. Five tourists hoisted to safety after lift stops working... 210ft under Grand Canyon Caverns.

According to the Police, five members of the stranded party were "not capable of self-evacuating using the emergency staircase." They had to remain in a hotel suite at the bottom of the cavern overnight. That was after the authorities took a decision that they should stay there while the elevator was repaired. This action ensured their safety and access to food as they awaited rescue. The rescue workers arranged to secure each of the tourists in a harness and lift them one by one up the shaft. Each rescue operation took approximately 15 minutes and no one was injured. The complete process had a touch of professionalism.

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