Escalator malfunction at WTC hub injures 2

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An escalator malfunctioned at the World Trade Center Transportation Hub injuring two men, according to officials. (FOX 5 NY)

Two men were injured when an escalator malfunctioned at the World Trade Center transportation hub, known as Oculus, Thursday morning. The men were able to walk to an ambulance and were taken to NY Downtown Hospital for evaluation. Their injuries are believed to be minor.

Several stair treads on the escalator buckled at about 7 a.m., officials said. The escalator remains out of service. Travelers entering on Greenwich Street can use an adjacent escalator.

A company called Oculus Americas operates the elevators and escalators at the hub. The company said it is working with the Port Authority to figure out what went wrong.

Port Authority spokesman Steve Coleman said the same escalator was involved in a fatal fall in February. He stressed that the earlier incident did not involve an escalator malfunction. In that incident, a New Jersey woman plunged about 30 feet to her death. Officials said she stretched over the railing too far and fell while trying to retrieve a dropped hat.

With the Associated Press