An escalator malfunction at the Gershwin Theatre sent nine people to the hospital on Wednesday evening during preparations for a Wicked performance.
The accident took place at precisely 5:12 p.m. on May 13, 2026, at the theater's address of 222 West 51st Street. Eyewitness accounts suggest that a young child's shoelace caught in the escalator treads, which activated the safety mechanism and brought the stairs to a sudden halt. This caused a chain reaction of falls among those nearby, according to reports from PIX11.
Of the nine injured, medical teams treated two children and one adult on site before transport. The specific injuries included a hand injury to one child, a leg injury to the other child, and a hand injury to the adult. The remaining six victims also suffered minor trauma consistent with falls, and all were evaluated at a nearby medical facility, CBS News New York confirmed.
The Department of Buildings immediately initiated an investigation into the escalator's functionality. Maintenance logs and recent inspections will come under scrutiny as part of the probe. Meanwhile, the 7 p.m. performance of Wicked began on time, allowing ticket holders to enjoy the show uninterrupted.
Patch.com highlighted that the group included students on a school outing, underscoring the family-friendly nature of the long-running musical. Wicked has played at the Gershwin Theatre for over two decades, becoming one of Broadway's most successful productions with its elaborate sets and flying effects that require precise venue conditions.
Industry professionals are monitoring the situation closely for any potential impact on audience confidence or operational procedures at similar venues. Theater operators often review safety equipment following such events to prevent future occurrences. The Gershwin continues its regular programming as the investigation unfolds. The ongoing investigation by authorities aims to determine the exact cause and recommend necessary improvements to prevent similar accidents in the future at other Broadway locations.
