Posted on 07/21/2007 9:03:56 PM PDT by stlnative
There has been a complete power failure at the St. Louis Arch. Over 100+ people are stuck at the top of it and more are in tram capsules that go up to the top. Right now there is a major rescue operation going on to get them out. The are all going to have to walk down the cat walk stairs to get down.
There are still people stuck in the capsule trams on both the north and south leg - plus about 140+ at the top.
There are 8 capsule trams in each leg - each capsule tram holds up to 5 people.
STL has been having concerts down on the levee under the arch. That is why it was so busy at this time of the night.
Death by gunshot would happen before I would ever get in that elevator. I have trouble with the confining restrictions of a blanket on a cold winters night.
Power has been restored...
They are now going to use the capsule trams to get them out.
Any problems reported? I hope not.
This is the first time in the history of the Arch where it has lost complete power.
Some people needed oxygen - but so far nothing more than that. But not everyone is down yet.
If it’s a total power failure, I would presume there’s no air circulation either? I feel for anybody trapped in one of those tram eggs with someone who had a nice huge garlicky dinner!
It would be extremely stuffy and stale. Even when it has full power... it is stuffy and stale in one of those tram capsules.
Once I saw the photo I remembered it well. We were through there in 2001 and went up the arch in those eggs. I’m not sure I’d repeat the experience taking today’s occurence into consideration.
Yup, me too. Borderline claustrophobia and acrophobia would have done me in by now, if I had allowed my better judgment to lapse long enough for anyone to persuade me to go up in the first place.
O-o-o-oh!! GOOD GRIEF!! Hush your mouth!!
AIN'T NO WAY!!!!
I'd rather be sitting here at my computer talking about it, and praying for those poor folks!
LINK ONLY (due to copyright)
Power failure at Arch traps visitors
By Repps Hudson and Phil Sutin
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
07/22/2007
no way that it sways? or that you would not go up in it?
It does sway and I think it can sway 8” from the east to the west each way.
It was freaky and that did it for me. I have been in it several times since I was a kid and after that last time I said never again.
I am going to hit the bed... It will probably be on the national news tomorrow. Local News stop breaking in with updates.
No way that I would go up - especially after being told how much it can sway!
Goodnight. : )
It is 18” (probably 9” each way)
On a clear day you can see for thirty miles. Don’t be surprised if you feel the arch swaying, it is designed to move up to 18” and to survive an earthquake.
http://www.apj.co.uk/destinations/gateway_arch.asp
I’ll just admire it from the ground, thank you!
The only way I’d go up that thing is that if they had a bar at the bottom and the top. And a pint in my back pocket. Heights don’t like me one damn bit and it’s mutual.
Isn’t its name the ‘Gateway Arch,’ and not ‘St. Louis Arch?’
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