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Pittsburgh EMS rescues 29 passengers after Monongahela Incline cars stall

Pittsburgh EMS and firefighters executed coordinated rope and ladder operations to remove 29 passengers from two stalled rail cars

PITTSBURGH — Two stalled Monongahela Incline cars prompted a multi-agency rescue on Oct. 31, with all 29 passengers safely evacuated and no injuries reported, officials said.

Pittsburgh EMS was dispatched and found five riders in the upper car and 24 in the lower. Given the complexity, EMS activated its technical rescue group and set up staging at both the upper and lower stations, the city said in a statement.

In approximately 2 hours, rescue paramedics completed a rope operation to bring all five occupants from the upper car to safety.

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Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire crews used a ladder truck to access the lower car while paramedics assisted passengers down. All passengers were medically evaluated on scene.

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Bill Carey is the associate editor for FireRescue1.com and EMS1.com. A former Maryland volunteer firefighter, sergeant, and lieutenant, Bill has written for several fire service publications and platforms. His work on firefighter behavioral health garnered a 2014 Neal Award nomination. His ongoing research and writings about line-of-duty death data is frequently cited in articles, presentations, and trainings. Have a news tip? He can be reached at news@lexipol.com.