Boy injured in escalator mishap

MANILA, Philippines—A seven-year-old boy was injured after his arm got stuck for more than an hour on the escalator of a Puregold grocery store in Monumento, Caloocan City, on Wednesday night.

Felix Aparejado of Alupihan Dagat, Malabon City, underwent surgery Thursday morning at Manila Central University hospital. Puregold management said it would shoulder his medical expenses.

PO2 Nestor Arcitio said the accident happened after the boy was briefly left unaccompanied by an aunt, Melody Aparejado, when she went to the toilet.

The boy reportedly slipped just before reaching the bottom of the escalator going to the ground floor at around 6:40 p.m. The skin on his left elbow got caught between the railing and an escalator step.

Police said emergency workers took five hours to rescue the boy by dismantling the escalator. But a statement from Puregold said it only took two hours and denied reports that the workers were initially barred from entering the store.

“This is an unfortunate incident that Puregold deeply regrets, and we are heartened that Felix seems on his way to a full recovery,” said the company’s senior vice president, Aida de Guzman.