Escalators break down in Chai Wan and TST stations

Two escalators - one each in the Chai Wan and Tsim Sha Tsui MTR stations - broke down in the last two days after parts called comb plates fell apart.

At 11.40am yesterday, an escalator step in Chai Wan suddenly broke apart while the escalator was ascending and sent metal scraps popping off.

A number of escalator steps collided with the broken comb plate, causing the metal sheet to arch and burst open.

Control room staff who were alerted arrived at the scene and found that the upper part of the escalator was broken, revealing a large gap.

The area was immediately cordoned off and they arranged for engineering staff and the contractor to investigate and repair the escalator.

A sweater believed to have belonged to a passenger was found stuck between the escalator steps.

Another escalator malfunction occurred at Tsim Sha Tsui at 2.50pm on Saturday.

There were passengers on the escalator in Tsim Sha Tsui station at the time of the incident - some of whom were elderly with walking sticks who needed support from others.

The escalator's steps were described as being stacked together like razor blades and passengers had to be cautious to avoid getting injured.

The incident was believed to have been caused by a passenger's shoe getting stuck in the escalator and damaging the comb plate.

According to the MTR, no one was injured in both incidents.

On June 23, the comb plate of the escalator in Yau Ma Tei station was suddenly ripped off.

On June 24, another incident occurred in Diamond Hill station as a passenger's sandal hit the escalator comb plate.

No one was injured in both incidents.

stacy.shi@singtaonewscorp.com