Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Chelsea Elevator Drop Injures At Least 21 People
By
Jen Chung
Published May 18, 2011
Modified May 18, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
WCBS 2
By
Jen Chung
Published May 18, 2011
Modified May 18, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A freight elevator at a Chelsea building on 6th Avenue and 18th Street suddenly dropped, injuring 21 people inside. One of the victims told WCBS 2, "The elevator it fell down, that’s it. It felt like we were jumping."
The elevator, located in the warehouse behind the Bed, Bath and Beyond, dropped three floors and landed in the basement. The elevator had originally been traveling up, carrying carpenters. Another passenger who was not injured told DNAinfo, "Have you ever been to Great Adventure? Have you ever been on the Free Fall? It was like that, but with a harder landing."
The FDNY says that the victims were sent to hospitals to be evaluated for neck and back injuries. The Department of Buildings will investigate.
Tagged
Chelsea
elevator
elevator drop
elevator malfunction
free fall
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
6-year-old girl breaks leg after getting hit by falling bricks in Queens
The girl was walking with her mother in Maspeth on Thursday. The Department of Buildings cited the owner of a garage for “failure to maintain” it.
By
Charles Lane
Published Oct 23, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. ET
Mamdani extends ban on permits for new street fairs due to NYPD overtime
Critics say the moratorium harms businesses in neighborhoods without a tradition of street fairs.
By
Carol Chen
News
Mamdani extends ban on permits for new street fairs due to NYPD overtime
Critics say the moratorium harms businesses in neighborhoods without a tradition of street fairs.
By
Carol Chen
Inside the Midtown Bus Terminal rebuild: Decks over Lincoln Tunnel approach, a new park
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Black couple seeking Queens apartment sues over racist text from broker
By
Brittany Kriegstein
NJ early voting begins Saturday. Here's everything you need to know.
By
Mike Hayes
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .