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Escalator Malfunctions At Back Bay MBTA Station, 5 Hurt

BOSTON (CBS) - A malfunctioning escalator at the Back Bay MBTA station injured five people as they were making their way to the Bruins parade on Saturday.

Witnesses said instead of going up, the escalator started going down really fast.

Some riders got knocked down, and one boy briefly got his foot caught in the machinery.

"As we were going up, the escalator just...we were probably about three quarters of the way up, and the escalator just stopped, jerked forward, and then sped backwards and collapsed down," said Jennifer Nottage, who was injured on the escalator.

"I was scared thinking that I wasn't going to be able to pull my feet up, but then when I did, I knew that I was out, so I just had to run up," said Elijah Nottage, Jennifer's son.

Jennifer Nottage added that she wanted to thank the anonymous passerby who lifted her young daughter over the railing to keep her from getting hurt.

The MBTA released a statement regarding the incident:

"The MBTA is investigating reports that the escalator stopped suddenly. Transit Police, on patrol at Back Bay Station, were on the scene immediately. Observing injured parties, police called for EMS to respond. Five people were treated at the scene for cuts and abrasions. The escalator remains out of service pending the investigation's completion."

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