Patron with Mobility Walker Falls on Escalator

Location: Victoria

Regulated industry sector: Elevating devices – Escalator or moving walkway

Incident overview

A patron entered a shopping mall’s downward-moving escalator using a mobility walker. The patron, holding the walker’s handles, lost balance and fell forward as the walker lowered with the moving escalator. The patron sustained a serious head injury, and a few days later unfortunately, passed away. This incident reminds us of the importance of following caution signs and respecting that posts are put in place to dissuade members of the public from boarding escalators with walkers, strollers, scooters, and other equipment that can affect a safe ride.