One of my biggest fears is getting stuck in an elevator. Some fear spiders, others fear clowns, I fear getting stuck in a small space for a long period of time with a weird stranger who tries to tell me their life story. Think about it – you’re stuck in an elevator with no food, no water, it’s enclosed and you can barely move around. Where do you go to the bathroom? What if there’s no WiFi? It sounds traumatizing. But, my biggest fear turned into reality for one journalist who was stuck in a glass elevator in his building for what appeared to be a few hours. The only difference is that this elevator was made of pure glass and all of his co-workers got a decent laugh out of it.
Mike Rigby is a programme editor for ITV news and was unable to fulfill his duties as editor when he was stuck in an elevator (or “lift”) for several hours. His co-workers decided it was an absolute must to tweet the video.
Our Programme Editor Mike Rigby has currently been going up and down in a lift for half an hour with no sign of escape. The bulletin tonight could be sparse without his heavy LIFTing #upanddown pic.twitter.com/ZQJvMY0GSp
— Paul Brand (@PaulBrandITV) November 25, 2017
His co-workers at ITV had some pretty good jokes on Twitter.
I’m going to save this and rewatch it when feeling down. Sensational stuff
— Paul Adcock (@PaulAdcockITV) November 25, 2017
At least he’s still on good form. #prayformike pic.twitter.com/tGlYmOuWDS
— Finola Miles (@finolamilesITV) November 25, 2017
“Glass case of emotion”!
— martin geissler (@mmgeissler) November 25, 2017
If only there was an RTS for best internal news coverage
— Paul Brand (@PaulBrandITV) November 25, 2017
It’s a mix of hilarious and hypnotising
— Andrew Dagnell (@andrewdagnell) November 25, 2017
Brilliant on so many levels
— Jade Liversidge (@jade_liversidge) November 25, 2017
And, someone even turned him into a GIF.
— Ad (@adlynch) November 25, 2017
Paul did keep us updated with some follow up tweets.
UPDATE: Yep, he's still in there. https://t.co/JIhTtrvxGR
— Paul Brand (@PaulBrandITV) November 25, 2017
Lift contractor has been called out. On a serious note, we are trying to set him free, I promise!
— Paul Brand (@PaulBrandITV) November 25, 2017
Almost an hour now… Hope he doesn't need a wee. #freeMike https://t.co/JIhTtrvxGR
— Paul Brand (@PaulBrandITV) November 25, 2017
And, finally, he was set free.
BREAKING NEWS: Mike has been freed! He does not wish to speak to the media at this time and asks that his privacy be respected. #freeMike
— Paul Brand (@PaulBrandITV) November 25, 2017
Congrats, Mike!