Latest news with #escalator
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Telegraph
Tube passenger killed commuter with single punch after he brushed past him
A Tube commuter was killed by a fellow passenger with a single punch in revenge for brushing past him on an escalator. Rakeem Miles, 23, knocked out Samuel Winter, 28, with a punch to the head at Southwark underground station in August last year. Mr Winter, an AI engineer, suffered a critical brain injury and died two days later in hospital. Miles was convicted of manslaughter at Inner London Crown Court on Wednesday but will serve just five and a half years of his eight-year sentence when he becomes eligible for parole. Mr Winter was making his way out of the station at 9.30pm on Aug 22 last year when he brushed past Miles on his way up the escalator. Miles then followed him and began to shout abuse before grabbing him from behind. He then inflicted a single blow to Mr Winter's head, which left him collapsed on the stairs. Miles fled the scene but was arrested by the British Transport Police at a shop near the same station the following morning, after his movements were tracked on his Oyster card. Miles denied manslaughter but was convicted and sentenced by Judge Benedict Kelleher to eight years imprisonment with an extended licence period of five years. He will serve less than five and a half years in prison before becoming eligible for parole. Mr Winter's parents, who they said had a 'deep faith', said they had 'unconditionally forgiven' Miles for his 'unprovoked and horrific assault'. They said: 'The pain of his loss is almost unbearable for us, his wider family, many friends and all the people in his community, whom he loved to help through his physiotherapy, service and personal generosity. 'We thank God, however, that his death isn't the end for us. We'll be reunited with Sam in heaven. There we'll have eternity to enjoy his company and all he is and does in the presence of our eternally loving, heavenly Father. 'That reality gives us huge hope today and will do tomorrow, until we're all together again in heaven. When we welcome God into our lives, our loving relationships are forever.' They added: 'We have unconditionally forgiven Rakeem. As followers of Jesus, we know this is the only way to freedom, peace and well-being in our hearts – to not harbour anger or bitterness. 'We and many others who knew and loved Sam, are inspired to make this world a better place by welcoming Holy Spirit to be with us and loving one another with the love He brings – just like Sam did and God wants us all to do. We welcome you to join us in doing the same.' Det Ch Insp Paul Attwell, the case's senior investigating officer, added: 'It only took one punch from Miles to end Samuel's life and forever change the lives of those around him. 'He showed no remorse for his action, leaving Samuel at the station and continuing on with his evening. The quick-time and thorough investigation by the teams involved meant Miles was identified and apprehended quickly.'
Daily Mail
07-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
People are just realizing why escalator steps have grooves on them
Grooves on escalator steps that riders hardly pay attention to actually have a very important function that is paramount for safety. Escalators, the elevator counterparts available in nearly every mall and airport, rarely draw attention from people who are simply trying to get from one floor to another. But of the few escalator riders who have considered why the steps have grates, many have long assumed they are only meant to prevent people from slipping off of the moving stairs. However YouTuber Zach D. Films, known for his animated educational videos, stunned his viewers when he debunked this widely held belief. The 32-year-old creator, whose real name is Zach Mulligan, reveals in a 22-second clip that the reason for these indentations is 'more important than it might seem'. The video explained: 'As the steps circulate, the grooves sync up with a comb plate at the top. 'This comb plate gets locked in by the grooves, which blocks items from getting sucked in,' the voice continued as a picture of a Croc jammed into an escalator appeared on the screen. As riders move from the bottom of the moving staircase toward the often-yellow ridge at the top, the steps merge into one another along those grooves. This function prevents items - such as clothes, shoes and litter - that may jam the escalator from getting caught between steps or at the lip at the top. There are also brushes along the sides of the stairs to sweep away debris. Aside from their mechanical purpose, these ridges also allow any liquid spilled on the steps to drain off the surfaces, making them less slippery and decreasing the chance of an escalator catastrophe, according to UniladTech. 'If you're someone who lives in fear of escalators, then you should be happy for these grooves and these brushes, another social media personality, Julian O'Shea, said about the design in a video shared by ABCScience. He added the grooves even make the efficient interlevel form of transportation easier to clean, as someone can hold a broom at the top and sweep the steps as they reach the flat floor. Sharing their thoughts on Zach's original video, viewed more than 42million times, people shared their shock upon learning the true purpose of escalator grooves. 'As a kid I was always terrified of getting sucked into an escalator,' one man wrote. Another agreed that escalator fears had previously consumed them: 'As a kid I thought you could get stuck if you don't leave escalator soon enough and die. That's why getting on escalator used to be a matter of life and death for me.' 'This helped me,' one user bluntly declared. 'This man is teaching us more than school and college combined,' said another. Many pointed out irony as well, saying Zach explained the grooves prevent blockage but showed a shoe stuck in the moving stairs anyway. In fact, Disney World reportedly banned patrons from wearing Crocs on escalators after several incidents of the popular sandals get caught in the steps, according to Inside the Magic. Zach's video asserted the grooves have 'nothing to do' with grip, but others have disputed this claim. One man wrote under O'Shea's commentary: 'And in addition to all that, the grooves provide a good amount of grip too, compared to a flat or almost flat [piece] of metal.'
South China Morning Post
30-05-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
Japan's Nagoya city deploys ‘Stop and Stand Squad' in bid to reduce accidents on escalators
Standing still on an escalator has become a paid profession in Japan's city of Nagoya – part of a quirky but earnest campaign to reduce accidents and instil order ahead of an expected surge in visitors for the 2026 Asian Games. The unconventional job is part of Nagoya's campaign to promote a local ordinance that went into effect in 2023 that banned people from walking up escalators in train stations, retail facilities and office buildings throughout the city. Despite an aggressive poster campaign and announcements to advertise the new rule, according to TV Asahi, not enough people are getting the message that escalator users need to stand still for the duration of their journey and there are concerns that people are again going to be injured. The ordinance was introduced after 125 people sustained injuries in accidents on escalators in 2021, while the city also expects to see an influx of visitors during the 2026 Asian Games, scheduled to run from September 19 to October 4. Escalator etiquette in Japan has traditionally required that users stand to one side – although, confusingly, the convention in Tokyo and eastern Japan is to stand to the left but in Osaka and the west it is to the right – to allow the impatient or those in a hurry to walk up the free side of the escalator. People ride one of the outdoor escalators at the 2025 Osaka Expo on May 21. Escalator etiquette in Japan requires users to stand on one side to allow others in a hurry to walk up the free side of the escalator. Photo: AFP When the Nagoya city council passed the new law, it decided not to impose punishments on anyone who fails to follow the regulations, meaning that there are still plenty of people who choose to keep walking once they are on an escalator.
The Sun
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Sun Bingo players can win a guaranteed share of £250,000 this May
WIN a share of £250,000 this month in Sun Bingo's escalator jackpot games. In escalator jackpot games, all players with valid tickets for the winning game will receive a share of the jackpot. Who? There may be multiple winners across multiple sites as this is available across the Virtue Fusion network. If you wish to play with Sun Bingo, you must be a registered player, UK and ROI resident, and aged 18+ years old (registration and ID verification are required). What? When you play in an escalator jackpot session, you're onto a winner! That's because the jackpot is guaranteed to be won. Traditionally, a bingo room's jackpot is activated if the full house is won within a given number of ball calls (in this case, it's 35 balls). However, during these escalator sessions, the triggering ball count is increased by one ball every 10 minutes, meaning that a jackpot win is a sure thing. When it is won, 50% will be given to the full house winner and the remaining 50% will be shared equally among the community. That consists of all players with at least one valid ticket for the game in which the jackpot is ultimately triggered. Tickets for the games cost between 2p and 10p. The minimum amount to be won each night of this promo is £15,000! However, this increases to at least £20,000 on Saturdays! Over the month, £250,000 will be won. 1 When? Jump on these escalator sessions every Thursday, Friday and Saturday in May. The games play out between 10pm and 11pm. Where? Let your gaming experience escalate quickly by joining our jackpot sessions in the Rapid Bingo Room. Why? Playing bingo is great fun before you even win but let's be honest, it's always nicer to walk away with a cash prize. If that's you're thinking, why would you not play in games that GUARANTEE you that winning feeling? How do I get my winnings? Prize money will be paid out immediately after the game(s) have finished. In the event of more than one winner, winnings will be equally shared. To win a share of the jackpot, players must have purchased tickets for the winning game. Jackpot escalators take place in the Rapid Room between 10pm and 11pm every Thursday, Friday and Saturday in May. Jackpots pay out 50% to the full house winner and 50% to the community. 18+. T&Cs apply. *New customers only. Register, deposit £10 and spend £10 on bingo tickets to receive £40 bingo bonus (accept within 48 hours and wager 4x within seven days) and £20 side games bonus (accept within 48 hours and wager 20x within 30 days) on Rainbow Riches in the bingo lobby. Both bonuses must be accepted in the bingo lobby. Only completed games are credited. Debit cards only. Deposits made with Neteller/Skrill/PayPal are not valid for this promotion. 18+. T&Cs apply. Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
CNA
07-05-2025
- General
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - #TalkBack: If you're using a pram or stroller… stay off escalators?
CNA938 Rewind Last Sunday afternoon, the wheels of a woman's stroller got stuck between the steps of an escalator at HarbourFront Centre, which then became dislodged. No one, including the woman and her baby, was hurt. While there isn't a law disallowing the use of strollers on escalators in Singapore, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) strongly discourages the practice. Lance Alexander and Daniel Martin discuss further with Teo Orh Hai, Group Director for Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Group, BCA.
