Creston Firefighters Free Trapped Worker in 10 Minutes

Getting stuck in an elevator is most people's worst nightmare, but for one Innovative Industries employee in Creston, Iowa, that fear became reality Friday morning with a happy ending.

The Creston Fire Department received the call at 8:01 a.m. about an employee trapped between floors in the building's elevator. Within minutes, firefighters arrived ready to solve a puzzle that wasn't as simple as opening a door.

The crew first tried accessing the elevator from the first floor, but the cab wasn't there. Moving quickly to the second floor, they found the elevator stuck with its floor sitting about a foot and a half below the building's second level.

By 8:11 a.m., just 10 minutes after the initial call, the employee was safely out. The company had already contacted elevator repair specialists from Des Moines, and firefighters wrapped up their work by 8:15 a.m.

The Bright Side

This rescue highlights something we don't often think about: the everyday heroes who train for these exact moments. Elevator entrapments might not make headlines like dramatic fires, but they require technical skill, calm thinking, and teamwork.

The speed of this rescue mattered too. Being trapped in a small space can trigger panic and anxiety. Every minute that ticks by feels like an hour. The Creston crew understood that getting someone out quickly isn't just about physical safety but emotional wellbeing.

Innovative Industries' quick action in calling both emergency services and repair technicians shows good crisis management. When companies prepare for emergencies and employees know who to call, scary situations become manageable ones.

The employee walked away from what could have been a traumatic experience with a story of professional rescuers doing exactly what they're trained to do. No injuries, no drama, just skilled people solving problems.

Sometimes the best news is the simplest: someone needed help, help arrived fast, and everyone went home safe.