One elevator reopens after other plummets 11 floors

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - The Knoxville Fire Department responded to Westview Tower Apartments after an elevator fell eleven floors Tuesday afternoon.

According to KFD Assistant Chief Mark Wilbanks, no one was injured; however, officials on the scene said it could have been bad in a different scenario.

“We are really glad that no one was injured. It could’ve been very bad if, say, four or five people were in the elevator,” Wilbanks said. “Certainly, a fall from eleven floors potentially could’ve killed someone.”

The elevator, one of two in the building, was being serviced at the time of the fall, but it remains unclear why it fell.

“The elevator was shut down at the time; however, there were workers working on the elevator, so, certainly, one of those folks could’ve been injured,” Wilbanks said. “It is really unclear as to what the cause is.”

Due to the fall, the second elevator in the building was shut down but has since been inspected and reopened for residents.

Approximately 220 people live in the apartment building. Westview Tower officials provided a statement to WVLT News, saying safety is their highest priority.

As of Wednesday morning, the building was back to normal condition before the elevator crashed, Wilbanks told WVLT News. Crews are continuing to work on the crashed elevator and do not have an estimated timeframe for its completion as of yet.

The building owner and the state will lead the elevator repairs and inspection moving forward.

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