Children injured in escalator mishap at Tennessee Aquarium

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – An escalator mishap injured several children this afternoon at the Tennessee Aquarium.

Aquarium officials say it happened around 1:45 PM.

They say it happened to a summer camp group visiting the aquarium.

A counselor told security that two of the children rode it backwards, sitting down (which is against the rules).

When they got to the top, they fell backwards, which started a chain reaction of a dozen falling kids, until the escalator stopped.

Five children suffered minor abrasions, muscle aches and anxiety.

One was taken to the hospital with neck pain and dizziness as a precaution.

Another was taken to the hospital by a parent after describing leg pains.

In a statement, Aquarium officials said “This behavior is in direct violation of the aquarium’s safety policy. Escalator protocol is part of the aquarium’s behavioral contract that all groups receive prior to visiting. This document is signed by the chaperones who are responsible for ensuring the children abide by the rules.”

Video of the escalator from Nikki Guthrie in 2018