A girl riding a Garden State Plaza escalator with her family was seriously injured friday after the escalator “swallowed her foot,” according to police.
The lower right leg of the 8-year-old Bergenfield girl was trapped in the landing section at the top of an escalator located on the main level of Macy’s around 11 a.m. on Friday, according to Paramus police.
Witnesses at the scene told police that the victim was riding up the escalator with her mother and younger brother when it appeared that the escalator “swallowed her foot.” A bystander slammed on the emergency stop button, which shut down the escalator.
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Police officers, rescue workers and several civilians dismantled the landing area of the escalator to remove her leg, police said. EMS personnel and paramedics treated the victim at the scene and the 8 year old was then transported to Hackensack Medical Center with serious injuries to her lower right leg and foot.
Building inspectors and police are investigating the incident, according to Paramus Chief of Police Kenneth R. Ehrenberg.
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