Airport dash after man freed from lift

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) saved Jack Pogson, 20, from the lift at his apartment block in Mirfield after it became stuck at around 6.30am on Friday, January 3.

It was a frantic rush as fire crews battled to make sure Jack and his girlfriend Katie Ward made it to Manchester Airport – almost 50 miles away – for their 9.20am flight to Amsterdam to celebrate Katie’s 21st birthday.

Jack said: “We were rushing to do the last bit of preparation.

“I put the bins out and got into the lift and it got stuck.

“I got quite annoyed. I did not have my phone on me. “I was hoping that Katie would come out.

“I was thinking, ‘What are the chances of this?’ I was panicking a bit.”

After around 10 minutes, Katie went in search of Jack, discovered what had happened and attempts were made to call a lift engineer by ringing the emergency number in the lift car.

After getting no answer Katie decided to dial 999 in desperation.

Time was ticking as the couple were due to be picked up to leave for the airport at 6.45am.

One engine attended the scene and crews were able to free Jack by 7.20am.

He added: “I was really relieved and the crew was really helpful and we were laughing about it in the end. I’m very grateful that they 
came out to us and got me out in time.”

The call was received when national the Fire Brigades Union’s two-hour strike had just started. Cover was provided by Community Response Operatives and those not striking.