A funny thing happened on the way out of the BART station yesterday...
I exited the train, and, because I was carrying two bags and a box, decided to take the escalator rather than the stairs. Ahead of me was a group of three people, an elderly couple with luggage, including a very big suitcase, and a younger man.
When they reached the bottom of the escalator, bad things happened. One of them, I think it was the elderly gentleman, had trouble maneuvering his bag; it tipped over, and so did he.
Then his wife tried to help him up, but it was no use, and over she went too.
Their third companion was standing behind them and had nowhere to go but down.
Meanwhile, I was about 10 feet behind this pile of humans and bags, and approaching quickly. They were totally blocking the exit.
So I did something I hadn't done since I was a kid. I turned around and started walking up the down escalator.
Unfortunately, there were, of course, people behind me! Luckily, there weren't a lot of them, so they were able to also go back up. And there we were, treading water.
Somebody finally got the attention of the BART employee in her booth, and she pushed the emergency button and brought the whole thing to a halt.
The couple were fine, nothing broken or bruised (except their pride, perhaps.) I think the BART employee had to call someone to get the escalator going again.
And I must confess, I was giggling to myself all the way to the car.
I exited the train, and, because I was carrying two bags and a box, decided to take the escalator rather than the stairs. Ahead of me was a group of three people, an elderly couple with luggage, including a very big suitcase, and a younger man.
When they reached the bottom of the escalator, bad things happened. One of them, I think it was the elderly gentleman, had trouble maneuvering his bag; it tipped over, and so did he.
Then his wife tried to help him up, but it was no use, and over she went too.
Their third companion was standing behind them and had nowhere to go but down.
Meanwhile, I was about 10 feet behind this pile of humans and bags, and approaching quickly. They were totally blocking the exit.
So I did something I hadn't done since I was a kid. I turned around and started walking up the down escalator.
Unfortunately, there were, of course, people behind me! Luckily, there weren't a lot of them, so they were able to also go back up. And there we were, treading water.
Somebody finally got the attention of the BART employee in her booth, and she pushed the emergency button and brought the whole thing to a halt.
The couple were fine, nothing broken or bruised (except their pride, perhaps.) I think the BART employee had to call someone to get the escalator going again.
And I must confess, I was giggling to myself all the way to the car.
