– It wasn't much fun to be stuck in an elevator for more than an hour, says Isak Ögren, one of the people who got stuck in the elevator.
Eleven people were trying to get down from the fourth floor of the Sara kulturhus when the elevator suddenly stopped.
– Getting stuck in an elevator is a bit scary. After a while it was hard to breathe. I was pretty calm, but people were getting a little worried; you could see it and hear it in their voices. Someone even threw up, Isak continues.
In addition to the stuffy, bad air in the cramped elevator, there was a strong smell of vomit. It was a claustrophobe's worst nightmare.
It was around 1 a.m. on Sunday morning when the elevator became stuck. By the time the fire department arrived on the scene and opened the door, it was just after 2 a.m.
– It turned out okay in the end. Nobody was permanently injured... I think, says Isak.
Isak also mentions that this isn't the first time he's been stuck in an elevator, with the most recent incident occurring just a week ago at Northvolt. However, that time he managed to get out after half an hour, and it wasn't as scary, he says.
– I haven't had much luck yet. I don't know if I have bad karma or something. I don't know what I have done to have such bad elevator luck!
But he doesn't seem to have developed a fear of elevators.
Will you have the courage to ride an elevator again?
– Yes, of course: the stairs are exhausting, he laughs.
The most common reasons for an elevator to stop are either overloading or people jumping in the elevator, according to Ralf Isaksson, operations manager at Sara kulturhus.
– The elevator doesn't stop often, but it does happen from time to time. Some people find it fun to jump in the elevator, which casuses problems. Or they don't read the signs about the maximum weight. It's unfortunate that it happened, but the most unfortunate thing is that people have to sit in the elevator unnecessarily, says Isaksson.
Why did it take so long to rescue them?
– We have an agreement with a contractor who specializes in elevators and is supposed to respond when things like this happen. But the fire department arrived first got there before the contractor. This shouldn't happen, but when it does, the response time should be minimized. Now I just want to find out from the supplier what happened that night.