Dad-of-two Steven McCluskey over on the escalator and his coat got stuck and sucked into the machinery, but more than a dozen commuters just walked past him as he lay dying on the floor
The sister of a man left to die after getting stuck in a moving escalator says she has never had such a lack of faith humanity after passersby walked on as her brother’s life ebbed away.
Heartbroken Shannon Flaherty slammed the “despicable” behaviour of travellers on Boston’s subway system after Steven McCluskey was left trapped in the escalator for more than 20 minutes.
Commuters are seen in chilling CCTV footage walking past a stricken Steven, who tripped over on the escalator, causing his coat to get stuck and sucked into the machinery. Shannon said: “I’ll be honest, I have never had such a lack of faith in humanity ever.”
Dad-of-two Steven, 40, became stuck in the escalator just before 5am on February 27. Shocking footage showed more than a dozen people walked past as he struggled. One even watched for several moments before turning around and heading the other way.
He was eventually helped by staff, who called the paramedics. They arrived and managed to get him breathing again, and took him to hospital, but he later died form his injuries just days later.
Shannon told the Boston Globe: “It has completely changed the perspective I have on people and human behavior. It is, for lack of a better word, despicable. I just can’t believe that so many people had the same inclination to just walk by.
“Where was security? Where were the red coats (train station staff) that are supposed to be on all the floors from the time it opens to the time it closes? How, at a busy train station, does nobody stop, nobody see him?”
First responders said his clothing was “tightly lodged” in the escalator, his shirt constricting his neck and compromising his airway,a police report states. He regained a pulse after multiple rounds of CPR but tragically died on March 9.
A spokesperson for the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office said an investigation into the incident is still open pending a ruling on Steven’s cause and manner of death.
In his obituary, Steven’s family said he had a “stubborn spirit, quick sense of humour and deeply caring heart.” It added: “He had a way of talking with people for hours, sharing stories, offering advice, and helping however he could.
“If something needed fixing or someone needed support, Steven was often the person people turned to.”
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) said a worker on duty that morning started the station’s escalators up at the beginning of the day and found them all to be functioning safely and properly.
A spokesman said: “This was a terrible accident. It is important that the public knows that anyone can stop an escalator in an emergency by pressing the red button labeled ‘STOP’ at the top and bottom of each escalator.
“They should also then immediately call 911. MBTA personnel respond swiftly to all emergencies and do everything they can to assist individuals and secure the situation.”
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.