Five injured after railway station escalator suddenly changed direction

Five people were injured on Monday morning in New Jersey when an ascending escalator at the Exchange Place PATH station suddenly changed direction and began moving backwards.

Three of the injured commuters were taken to the hospital. "Fortunately none of the injuries are life threatening," said spokesman Ron Marsico, describing injuries as "bumps, bruises and scrapes."

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Screams of “stop, stop, stop” were heard during the 9 am mishap. Commuters at the top of the escalator furiously kept their legs moving forward to keep up with the descending stairs.

People at the bottom of the escalator scrambled to get off the malfunctioning steps. Two of the station's three escalators were later shut down.