Escalators Reopen at PATH Station After Freak Accident

The escalators at the Exchange Place PATH station in Jersey City, N.J. are running again, one day after one of them suddenly reversed direction and sent riders tumbling during rush hour. 

Port Authority spokesman Ron Marsico said Tuesday the agency is still investigating the cause of the escalator failure, including whether Sandy -- which flooded the station -- may have played a role.

To see video of the flooding at the station during the storm, go here.

No other problems were detected during the inspection of the escalators after they were shut down Monday, said Marsico. The Port Authority also examined all its escalators throughout the system.

Passengers were traveling up from the station's platforms on the escalator when it suddenly began heading down just before 9 a.m. Monday. Six people sustained minor injuries. 

Michael Nochimson told NBC 4 New York that he jumped off the escalator as it began to slip down.

"We were moving forward, and then it hesitated and it started slipping backwards and it picked up momentum. and at that point, I could see the panic and I could hear the cries of other people behind me, so I knew I had to do something," he said.

Some of the confusion was captured on video.

Nick Lukish says he was headed to work and was midway up the escalator when the moving staircase started going down.

The 33-year-old says he saw a stampede of people at the base while others jumped on an adjacent escalator. Lukish says he sustained cuts and bruises.

Commuters had to climb eight flights of steps while the escalators were shut down. 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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