Overview
- A person’s clothing became caught at the bottom of the Davis Square Station escalator on Friday morning, July 31, and a rider ahead used the red emergency stop button to halt the escalator.
- The injured person was taken to a hospital with a minor hand injury and officials said they are expected to be OK after MBTA staff and Somerville Fire Department responders assisted.
- The episode follows a February death at the same escalator in which the state medical examiner ruled strangulation by clothing and surveillance video showed long delays before the escalator was stopped.
- After the February death the MBTA launched a public safety campaign that warns about loose clothing, tells riders to hold handrails and points out the red 'STOP' buttons at the top and bottom of every escalator.
- Officials have opened an investigation into the July 31 incident, and transit advocates say the event underscores the need for continued public education and clearer on‑site response protocols that could include faster staff action and more visible emergency controls.