Woman Dead After Falling from Metro Escalator

A 64-year-old woman in a wheelchair who fell backward down an escalator at the Hollywood/Highland Metro Red Line station died at the hospital Wednesday, reports KTLA.

Apparently the elevator was out-of-service Tuesday when the woman and her caretaker decided to use the escalator.

A Metro spokesman told KTLA that announcements are made on the train and on the platform whenever an elevator is out of service. Instead of getting back on a train and exiting at the next stop, the woman's caregiver pushed the wheelchair onto the escalator.

A short time later, the escalator reportedly malfunctioned and both women tumbled backward. The woman in the wheelchair suffered head trauma.

The L.A. County Sheriff’s Department, which provides law enforcement for Metro, said that it was unclear why the elevator was out of service and is investigating.

It was unclear who is liable in the case or if the caregiver may face any charges, according to the report.

Read the full story on KTLA's website.