2 airline employees get stuck in NAIA elevator

MANILA, Philippines - Two female airline employees were trapped in a service elevator at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 (NAIA-1) for at least 45 minutes yesterday.

Cindy Tan and Hazell Raymundo, both 21, told The STAR that at around 1 p.m., they used the service elevators at the NAIA-1’s south wing after delivering some documents to the basement. They were stuck as the elevator went up from the basement to the second floor.

“We thought we would be rescued immediately, but it lasted for 45 minutes. In a panic, we called the attention of anybody who could hear us, using the speaker phone inside the elevator,” the two women said.

Tan said they banged on the elevator doors, adding that they could not use their cell phones because there was no cell phone signal in the elevator.

Elena Fuentes, a utility employee of the Bureau of Customs, was at the restroom and heard Tan and Raymundo calling for help. She called the attention of Louie Ricamara, who works at the airport’s engineering department, and he opened the elevator doors with a screwdriver.

Tan and Raymundo were sweating heavily when they emerged from the elevator. “We thought we would never get out. Even though there was no electric fan, at least the lights did not go out,” Raymundo said.

NAIA-1 manager Dante Basanta said the 33-year-old service elevator is scheduled for replacement next year.