Man falls to his death trying to climb out of stuck elevator

Man falls to his death trying to climb out of stuck elevator

BELLEVUE, Wash. - A 25-year-old man died when he fell while trying to climb out of an elevator stuck between floors Monday night, authorities said.

The man fell several stories down an open elevator shaft at a new shopping and entertainment complex in suburban Seattle, Fire Department spokesman Lt. Bruce Kroon said.

Authorities said five people had been inside the elevator, and it was believed that they had called for help before prying open the elevator doors.

"The first four were out; the fifth individual got out of the elevator and somehow fell backward into the elevator shaft," Kroon said.

Authorities did not immediately release the man's name.

Lincoln Square, located east of Seattle, is a $500 million complex that includes shops, restaurants, theaters, a hotel tower and underground parking garage.