The Carlsbad Caverns elevator accidents refer to two notable incidents at the national park. In 1939, Ranger Leslie Thompson fell into the 754-foot shaft but survived with minor injuries. In 2018, three visitors were stranded in an elevator 740 feet below ground due to a mechanical issue. Both incidents highlighted the need for improved safety measures and regular maintenance of the elevator systems at this popular tourist destination.
What Happened in the 1939 Carlsbad Caverns Elevator Accident?
On January 25, 1939, Carlsbad Caverns National Park experienced a harrowing incident involving Ranger Leslie Thompson. The accident unfolded as follows:
- Thompson opened the elevator door without checking if the car was present.
- He fell into the 754-foot deep elevator shaft.
- Thompson managed to grab onto the greased elevator cables.
- He fell nearly 100 feet and slid an additional 40 feet before clinging to the cable.
- Colleagues rescued him using a second elevator car on a parallel cable.
What Were the Consequences of the 1939 Accident?
The incident resulted in:
- Minor injuries to Ranger Thompson, including:
- A well-greased uniform
- A few blisters on his right hand
- A friction burn on his left arm
- Heightened awareness of safety deficiencies in the elevator system
- A safety report ordered by the Washington D.C. headquarters
- Plans for improvements to the safety locks on the elevator doors
What Occurred During the 2018 Carlsbad Caverns Elevator Incident?
On March 26, 2018, another elevator-related incident took place at Carlsbad Caverns National Park:
- A secondary elevator became stranded 740 feet below the surface.
- Three visitors were trapped inside the elevator.
- The cause was a mechanical issue due to a worn travel cable.
- National Park Service rangers maintained communication with the visitors via the elevator phone system.
- An inter-agency search and rescue team was activated.
How Was the 2018 Rescue Operation Conducted?
The rescue operation involved several steps:
- Setting up rigging in the hoist way
- Using an operational elevator to lower the rescue team
- Harnessing visitors with lifelines
- Transferring visitors through roof escape hatches to the operational elevator
- Completing the rescue in approximately 3.5 hours
What Safety Measures Were in Place During These Incidents?
| Year | Safety Measures |
|---|---|
| 1939 | – No failsafe mechanism to prevent door opening when car absent |
| – Parallel cable system for rescue operations | |
| 2018 | – Elevator phone system for communication |
| – Trained inter-agency search and rescue team | |
| – Lifelines and escape hatches in elevator cars |
How Did These Accidents Impact Carlsbad Caverns’ Elevator Maintenance?
The incidents led to several changes and improvements:
- 1939 Accident:
- Highlighted need for improved safety measures
-
Prompted plans for enhanced safety locks on elevator doors
-
2018 Incident:
- Revealed issues with worn travel cables
- Accelerated plans for elevator repairs and modernization
What Ongoing Improvements Were Made to the Elevator Systems?
Following the 2018 incident:
- Primary elevator system repairs and modernization began in December 2017
- Completion of upgrades scheduled for end of May 2018
- Secondary elevators provided all park elevator service during this time
What Lessons Were Learned from These Carlsbad Caverns Elevator Accidents?
The accidents at Carlsbad Caverns National Park provided valuable insights:
- Importance of regular maintenance checks
- Need for failsafe mechanisms on elevator doors
- Value of trained rescue teams for emergency situations
- Significance of communication systems in elevators
- Necessity of modernizing aging infrastructure in national parks
How Have These Incidents Affected Visitor Safety Protocols at Carlsbad Caverns?
The elevator accidents led to enhanced safety measures:
- Improved safety locks on elevator doors
- Regular training for inter-agency search and rescue teams
- Implementation of communication systems in elevators
- Increased focus on preventive maintenance of elevator systems
- Development of specific emergency procedures for elevator-related incidents
By learning from these incidents, Carlsbad Caverns National Park has strengthened its commitment to visitor safety, ensuring that future generations can continue to explore the wonders of this underground marvel with greater peace of mind.
Reference:
1. National Park Service: No Elevator Service After Successful Rescue from Stranded Elevator
2. National Archives: The True Story of Surviving a Fall Into The Carlsbad Caverns National Park Elevator Shaft
3. AP News: Carlsbad Caverns tourists stuck in elevator for 3 hours