The death of a man with a walker who fell on an escalator at a Greater Victoria shopping complex shows how important it is to follow posted rules, says Technical Safety 小蓝视频
The agency, which has just issued a report about the Nov. 24 incident, said the man was grocery shopping at the mall, which was not named. It was described as a three-storey shopping complex that includes an underground parkade, which can be accessed by stairs, elevator or escalator. The agency said the man got on a downward-moving escalator with a mobility walker that was carrying 25 pounds of groceries and lost his balance, causing him to fall forward.
The man sustained “a serious head injury” and died a few days later, the report said.
The cause of death has not yet been determined by the agency.
The incident is a reminder of the importance of following caution signs intended to prevent the public from boarding escalators with walkers, strollers, scooters and “other equipment that can affect a safe ride,” the report said.
It said the escalator in question was made with an operating speed of 100 feet per minute, covers a distance of about 15 feet, and has safety features like lighting on the steps and covers for gaps between the steps and skirting to prevent entrapment. It has bollards to prevent shopping carts from being taken on board.
There is a cart conveyor that moves shopping carts in the same direction as the escalator.
Warning signs for the escalator exceed code requirements, and the escalator is regularly inspected, the report said.
Signs at the boarding area indicate with graphics that wheelchairs, strollers, shopping carts and mobility scooters are not permitted.
The report said that when the man fell, he hit his head on the escalator stairs.
A few shoppers moved in to help, stopped the escalator once the man was at the bottom, and called emergency services.
Mall security staff provided first-aid to the man.
Technical Safety 小蓝视频 is an independent, self-funded organization that issues licences, certificates and permits.
It works with industry to enhance safety and provides education and outreach, as well as incident investigations and enforcement.
