Several Los Angeles Chargers players, including quarterback Justin Herbert, and other members of their traveling party had to crawl through a ceiling panel to escape a stuck hotel elevator on Friday night in Dallas.
The Chargers reported on social media that around 7:30 p.m. local time, Dallas Fire-Rescue assisted those trapped in the elevator by helping them exit “one by one” through the ceiling panel to an adjacent elevator.
“The Los Angeles Chargers thank Dallas Fire-Rescue for their swift response, professionalism, and significant efforts to ensure everyone’s safety,” the team stated.
According to WFAA.com, the elevator was stuck in a “blind shaft” between the third and 15th floors of The Westin hotel in downtown Dallas.
A technician’s attempt to fix the elevator failed, leading Dallas Fire-Rescue to deploy its Urban Search and Rescue team to the scene.
WFAA reported that approximately 15 people were involved in the incident. Former Chargers quarterback Dan Fouts, who is covering the team’s preseason games on TV, mentioned that his wife, son, and Herbert were among those trapped.
ESPN’s Kris Rhim reported that Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh later invited the Dallas Fire-Rescue staff to the team meal room as a gesture of appreciation.
The Chargers are scheduled to complete their preseason on Saturday against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. They will open the regular season at home on September 8 against the Las Vegas Raiders.