Marites Fortaliza became stuck in the elevator of her employer's townhouse on Friday when the elevator broke down between floors. The 53-year-old Queens woman was not rescued until Monday, and suffered from dehydration but was said to be in stable condition after being taken to the hospital.
The building, owned by billionaire investment banker Warren Stephens, serves as the Stephens' family home. The family were away for the weekend, so Fortaliaza was the only one in the house when the elevator malfunctioned. She was discovered upon the family's return on Monday.
A statement was released by Stephens Inc., based in Little Rock, AK on Monday:
"The employee involved has been a valued member of the Stephens extended family for 18 years. The Stephens family is relieved that she is doing well in the hospital.
A Stephens family member accompanied her to the hospital this morning and remains at her side. The cause of this unfortunate incident is being investigated, and appropriate measures will be taken to ensure that something like this never happens again."
Several people questioned why these private elevators don't have a help button or other way to contact emergency services.
The horror of being stuck in a confined space for 3 days was not lost on the internet.
Many people just wished for her speedy recovery, mentally and physically.
The cause of the elevator malfunction is still under investigation. According to the New York Post, records indicate that the elevator was inspected by a private company as recently as July 2018 and found to be in working order.
