16 Rescued from Washington Monument Elevator

D.C. firefighters from Rescue Squad One faced a monumental rescue problem Thursday evening...literally.

Firefighters were called to rescue 16 people from a stuck elevator inside the Washington Monument, about 490 feet above ground, about 6:45 p.m., said Pete Piringer, a fire department spokesman.

Rescue workers were able to bring the elevator to the ground floor, but a group of people were stuck at the top of the monument and had to walk down, Piringer said.

Medics were evaluating some of those people at the scene, including a man on crutches he said, but no injuries were reported, Piringer said.

Firefighters typically make 12 to 15 elevator rescues per day around the city, Piringer said.

from Clarence Williams @ the Washington Post