Near as I can tell they were both stuck on the elevator (possibly between floors) and somehow got the door open.
She exited safely, but as he was crawling out the elevator moved and crushed him.
But then, I have a very active imagination.
That’s as good as any because I’m with TalBlack in it not making sense.
Elevator systems are designed for safety, but the very fact an elevator is stuck between floors indicates something is wrong with one or several of these systems...Or a brief power outage...No matter which, an intermitent fault or outage may allow the car to resume operation at any second...You will have no warning the car is about to move...
Pickup the emergency phone in the car and talk to security, they will call the FD, or use a cell phone to call 9-1-1 if you have reception...
Once help is contacted, DO NOT attempt to self rescue by opening the elevator door from your side, or attempt to crawl thru the opening onto the floor above or jump out to the floor below...
If the car resumes operation you will be crushed as this young man was...
Sit down and wait for FD...Firefighters will locate the car, make contact with you thru the doors, send a FF to the elevator penthouse to shut off power to your car, open doors from their side, and use a folding ladder to bring you up or take you down thru the opening...
Power to the car must be shut off before anyone crosses the threshold of an elevator door to avoid this kind of mishap...
What’s a 20-30 min wait compared to this outcome?
This is an incredibly poorly written story.
I cannot make heads or tails out of it.