2 Stadium Workers Injured In Elevator Accident

PHILADELPHIA (AP) _ A cart plunged about 30 feet down an elevator shaft at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday, injuring two Aramark food service workers, officials said. <br/><br/>At about 9 a.m., a cart driven

Saturday, July 28th 2007, 9:11 pm

By: News On 6

PHILADELPHIA (AP) _ A cart plunged about 30 feet down an elevator shaft at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday, injuring two Aramark food service workers, officials said.

At about 9 a.m., a cart driven by one of the workers hit the elevator doors on the third level of the stadium, opening the doors to the shaft, and then the cart moved forward and fell onto an elevator below, officials said.

The men were rescued by fire crews and transported to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

One man was in critical condition with head and chest injuries, and another man, who was inside the elevator, was in stable condition with head and arm injuries, police spokeswoman Officer Yolanda Dawkins said.

``The door is approximately 7 feet wide, and the cart was big enough to hit it and somehow open the door and the cart went through,'' said Dominic Verdi, deputy commissioner of the city Department of Licenses and Inspections. ``This is not something that is a mechanical error. This is an accident.''

Phillies spokesman Larry Shenk said the cart went through a gate and landed on top of an elevator.

Aramark did not release the names of the injured workers.

``We are deeply saddened by the injuries suffered by the employees,'' Aramark spokeswoman Kathleen Keenan said in a statement. ``Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families at this difficult time.

``We will continue to work with the appropriate officials to investigate this situation.''

State officials and members of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration were investigating the mishap.

Security officers were stationed outside elevator doors during Saturday night's game between the Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates, said Danny Williams, spokesman for the fire department.