Firefighters Rescue Two Women From Casino Elevator Shaft
Atlantic City emergency crews hoisted two individuals from a 42-story hotel elevator shaft after a three-hour operation.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Emergency Response
Atlantic City firefighters successfully completed a high-angle rescue operation on October 22, 2026, to retrieve two women trapped in a Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa elevator shaft. The rescue required specialized personnel to descend nearly 200 feet.
Why it matters
The complex vertical extraction highlights the critical role of specialized urban search and rescue capabilities in high-rise environments. Such operations demonstrate the technical training required to address mechanical failures in large-scale commercial facilities.
Firefighters descended 190 feet into the shaft of a 42-story building to reach the trapped individuals. The entire extraction procedure lasted three hours, concluding with the final rescue at 8:20 p.m.
The players
Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa
This major resort destination in Atlantic City is a 42-story complex that serves as a landmark on the city's boardwalk.
The details
Emergency responders utilized specialized rope systems to rappel into the elevator shaft at the Atlantic City casino. The team performed a vertical extraction to hoist the women to safety one at a time.
Timeline
October 22, 2026: Firefighters conducted the rescue operation at the casino.
8:20 p.m.: The second woman was successfully extracted from the elevator shaft.
Seasonal Patterns
The rescue follows established high-rise extraction protocols developed after the 2013 elevator collapse at 2626 Broadway.
Individuals stuck in elevators should remain inside the cabin and use the emergency call button or phone to alert facility management. If a rescue is required, follow all instructions from onsite emergency personnel to ensure a safe vertical extraction.
The takeaway
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining rigorous mechanical inspections in large commercial buildings. Guests should always prioritize using alarm buttons if a malfunction occurs rather than attempting to exit the unit.
Further reading
Learn more about local Emergency Response protocols for high-rise building incidents.
