Shoppers trapped inside lift as it ‘plunged’ repeatedly for at least 20 minutes in Cardiff centre

Customers compare ordeal to ‘horror film’ after group are reportedly dropped from top of shaft up to 30 times

Fire crews said 13 people had to be freed from a lift in St David’s shopping centre in Cardiff on Saturday evening (iStock)

Customers at a shopping centre were reportedly trapped in a lift as it rose and plunged repeatedly in “jolting” fashion for at least 20 minutes.

Thirteen people were thrown up and down in the elevator at St David’s shopping centre in Cardiff on Saturday evening in scenes likened to a horror movie.

Fire crews eventually had to be called to the scene to free the shoppers, one of whom was said to have suffered a panic attack during the ordeal.

The customers claimed they had been locked inside the lift as they were dropped between 25 and 30 times.

Taris Chapman, 19, who was trapped with several of her friends, described the incident as like “something from a horror film”, adding the lift had been “plunging us down seven floors with force whilst jolting”.

“It felt like there was no control over the lift,” she told Wales Online. “Everyone was screaming and panicking.”

“It felt like the cord that holds the lift wasn't working properly. We were all crying and decided to sit on the floor in case it hit the bottom hard. It honestly felt like we were never going to get out.”

A St David’s spokseman apologised to customers who had been trapped during the incident, which was said to have lasted at least 20 minutes.

“Customers inside the lift were transported from floor to floor,” the spokesman added.

“The fire brigade provided assistance to enable customers to leave the lift. The lift has since been taken out of service while the need for repair work is assessed.

“We recognise that this was a distressing experience for those involved, and, in addition to the assistance we offered at the time of the incident, we will also be reaching out to the individuals involved to offer a gesture of goodwill.”

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said it had been called to the centre to respond to reports several people have been trapped in a lift just before 7pm on Saturday evening.

“A crew from Cardiff Central Station was mobilised and 13 persons were released from lift using lift keys,” a spokesman added.