Atlanta, United States—Three pedestrians suffered moderate injuries after a heavily trafficked commercial escalator suffered a catastrophic mechanical gear failure at a regional shopping complex.
The upward-moving metal staircase abruptly jammed and buckled near the top landing plate, causing a sudden human pile-up during peak afternoon retail hours.
Shoppers screamed as the mechanical tracks sheared apart, forcing panicked crowds to scramble backward away from the expanding gap in the metallic steps.
Mall security guards rushed to press emergency shutoff buttons while directing frightened patrons away from the mangled base of the affected concourse level.
"The steps suddenly folded up like an accordion with a loud grinding noise, and people started tumbling over each other," recalled eyewitness Marcus Sterling near the central atrium.
Store personnel grabbed first aid kits to assist victims bleeding from lacerations and contusions before city paramedics arrived with multiple stretcher units.
"Three individuals sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to the medical center for precautionary evaluations," confirmed local fire department spokesperson Rachel Adams.
State elevator inspectors cordoned off the machinery with heavy steel barriers while demanding immediate maintenance records from the contracted service provider.
The entire commercial wing remains restricted to foot traffic while technicians dismantle the broken drive motor to identify the root cause of the structural failure.
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