how can you get stuck in an escalator

Quick Scoop

People usually get stuck in an escalator when loose clothing, shoelaces, soft shoes, or body parts catch in the moving gaps at the entry, exit, or side edges of the steps. Malfunctions can also trap feet or objects under the comb plate or inside the machinery.

Common ways it happens

• Loose shoelaces, sandals, or soft soles getting pinched at the step edges.
• Clothing, bags, or stroller parts catching near the sides or comb plate.
• Leaning, sitting, or placing hands near moving parts.
• Mechanical failure that exposes or jams the moving components.

What to do

• Stop using the escalator immediately if something feels wrong.
• Hit the emergency stop button if available.
• Keep hands, feet, and clothing clear of the edges.
• Call for help right away if someone is trapped.

For context, recent public reports in 2026 described severe escalator-trapping incidents, including a fatal case in Massachusetts and an animal rescue in the UK, showing that these accidents can happen in both ordinary use and during breakdowns.

Safety note

If this question is about a real incident, treat it as an emergency and get building staff or emergency responders involved immediately. Public safety guidance also warns against prying open doors or forcing yourself free in elevator-style entrapments, and similar caution applies around escalators because the moving parts can worsen the injury.

TL;DR: Most escalator entrapments happen from loose shoes, clothing, or reaching into the moving edges; mechanical failures can make it much worse.