11 Kids, One Adult Injured in Gershwin Theatre Escalator Accident in Manhattan

Investigation Underway After 11 Children, One Adult Injured in Escalator Accident Where “Wicked” is Performed at the Gershwin Theatre in New York City’s Theater District

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK (May 14, 2026) – Eleven children and one adult were injured after an escalator malfunctioned at the Gershwin Theatre in Manhattan.

New York City officials are saying that the accident took place around 5:12 PM on Wednesday evening. A group of children were on the escalator when it experienced some type of electrical malfunction.

The malfunction jolted the escalator forward and threw multiple people to the ground. Authorities believe that a child’s shoelace may have gotten stuck inside of the escalator.

Some of the children injured were very young and put onto stretchers or wheelchairs before being taken away in an ambulance. A full investigation into the cause of the accident remains ongoing at this time.

Liability for Manhattan Escalator Accidents

Property owners in New York have a legal obligation to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition. Moreover, property owners must warn of dangerous defects on a property that the defendant “should know or suspect that the licensee will not discover himself after a reasonable inspection of the premises” (Velez v City of New York, 45 AD2d 887). Property owners should take several measures to prevent escalator accidents.

• Inspections: Escalators should be routinely inspected by qualified professionals.
• Maintenance: Escalators should undergo periodic maintenance that is in accordance with all manufacturer instructions.
• Turn Off: Escalator should be turned off if there is any type of malfunction that could compromise safety.
• Lighting: Property owners should ensure that escalators are in areas with adequate lighting.

If a property owner fails to take reasonable measures to prevent escalator accidents, this could be used as evidence of negligence. Depending on the specific facts of any case, there could be several liable parties for an escalator accident. This includes the company that manufactured the escalator. It also includes any company that was legally responsible for servicing the escalator.

Steps to Take After Escalator Accidents

Many people are injured in escalator accidents every year in the United States. According to one study in the National Institutes of Health, “About 10,000 escalator-related injuries per year result in emergency department treatment in the United States. Since the 1990s, a steady increase has been reported, but few statistics on escalator-related injuries have been published worldwide.” Certain actions should be taken after any escalator accident.

• All of the medical records related to injuries should be collected.
• The maintenance records of the escalator involved should be reviewed.
• Surveillance footage that may have captured the accident should be sought.
• Victims should discuss their legal options with an experienced premises liability attorney.

Escalator accidents tend to be highly preventable. They often involve situations where escalators were not being properly maintained. Unfortunately, property owners will virtually never accept responsibility if someone is seriously injured by an escalator on their premises. This is why it’s so important that victims carefully consider their legal options with an attorney. Any person injured in an escalator accident may be able to pursue damages through a personal injury claim.

Getting Legal Help for Escalator Accidents

We at GLK Law extend our best wishes to all of the people injured in this escalator accident at the Gershwin Theatre. It is our sincere hope they will be able to make a full recovery. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong. Any person who may have more information should reach out to the NYPD.

Have you or a loved one been injured in an escalator accident at the Gershwin Theatre? You may be entitled to significant financial compensation. Our team of experienced New York City premises liability attorneys is here for you. We are committed to helping victims get all of the medical and financial support that they need to recover. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at (516) 908-9792.