Man Killed Climbing From Stalled Elevator

Aman who apparently climbed out of a stalled elevator in the Panorama City Mall Friday night was killed when he was crushed by counterweights used to balance the elevator, a Los Angeles City Fire Department spokesman said.

Spokesman Jim Wells said the victim, in his early 20s, was one of three people who were stranded in an elevator in the Broadway department store on Van Nuys Boulevard in Panorama City. After the man climbed out, the counterweights moved unexpectedly and crushed him, Wells said.

The other two passengers, who did not try to climb out, were later removed safely, Wells said. The victim was later removed by firemen using the “jaws of life” rescue equipment.

The identity of the victim was not immediately available.