#1
He had a very dark sense of humour and would come home with some of the craziest stories. (For example, any time he was in an elevator, he would shake it a little or tap on the displays or buttons and go 'Yep. Total piece of [trash]. Inferior piece of [trash].' and I think he mostly did it to freak people out.) One of my favourites:
He got a call that someone was hearing weird noises from the elevator. He got inside, rode the elevator up and sure enough, he could hear it too. For half a second he thought it was a baby crying and realized it was a cat. When he got to a certain floor, he could hear this sad meowing. It obviously wasn't in the elevator car, so he got into the shaft and found this little orange kitty! It had somehow (and I don't think he figured out or told us how) got into the elevator shaft and was sitting in a spot between the floors where it wouldn't get crushed by the elevator, but it couldn't get out.
My dad saved it and gave it to the building manager to see if it belonged to anyone in the building.
It was the one time he ever told us a story that involved him saving an animal instead of finding [deceased] ones.
#2
#3
If you’re someone who avoids the stairs (especially when it comes to climbing up multiple floors), then elevators probably feel like a blessing. Whether you’re carrying groceries, rushing to work, or just not in the mood to walk, elevators make everyday life a lot easier. There’s no denying how much we rely on them without even thinking twice. But here’s the thing—no matter how convenient they are, it’s important to use them safely. Most of us step in and out of elevators on autopilot, rarely considering what could go wrong. However, a few small precautions can make a big difference. Understanding basic elevator safety can be very helpful.
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Today, Bored Panda got the chance to speak with an elevator mechanic, Harish Patel, who has been working in the field for nearly a decade. Over the years, he’s seen just about everything that can go wrong inside an elevator. He shared that many issues start with simple carelessness. “I can’t count the number of times I’ve had to fix an elevator just because someone dropped something into the gap and it got stuck,” he explains.
People often lose phones, or keys, and those items can interfere with the elevator’s functioning. He also pointed out how children pressing all the buttons might seem harmless, but it can actually cause problems. Random button pressing can confuse the system, delay operations, or even trigger safety mechanisms unnecessarily. In some cases, it may lead to false alarms or disrupt the elevator’s normal functioning.
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#9
The weirdest (and funniest) thing I’ve seen was a 12 inch (around that height) Superman figurine that had its feet glued to the top of the elevator. The head was slightly tilted back and the arms were pointed upwards so it appeared like Superman was flying up, up, and away! whenever the elevator was in use. I have a picture of it saved on an external hard drive somewhere. That was hilarious.
He continues with one of the simplest yet most overlooked safety tips: watching your step. “Always make sure the elevator floor is level with the landing before stepping in or out,” he says. It might sound obvious, but in a rush, people often forget to check. A small gap or uneven surface can easily cause someone to trip or lose balance. This becomes even more important for elderly individuals or those carrying heavy items. Even if you’ve used elevators countless times, it’s worth taking that extra second to look down. Rushing in without checking can lead to unnecessary accidents.
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#11
Recovered a $2500 gold necklace covered in [feces].. a would be shoplifter darted out of our jewelry department and “suitcased” the necklace while in the elevator. When he realized we were waiting for him at the exit level he went back up a floor, removed it, and dropped it down the shaft.
We arrested him anyway, much to his surprise.
#12
Found a full Christmas tree last month
Other finds
5k in £20 notes
Big bag of [illegal substances]. Roughly 5kg
Brand new shoes by the box load.
Severed finger
So backstory.
Christmas tree was found this year on a council estate in August. Photos was taken for the office as it was rather amusing. I visit this lift every month.
The money and [illegal substances] was found in the same lift shift around 3 months apart 7 years ago. The money was spilt between me and my engineer as I was an apprentice at the time.
The shoes was found on a passenger/staff lift out the back of JD sports. Suspect a staff member was sticking them down there and loading into a car at the end of his shift. Police was involved in this one.
The finger was found in a very expensive apartment building. We talking 50 floors and million£+ apartments.
Again police and emg services involved in this one.
Harish also warns against playful or careless behavior inside elevators. “Avoid jumping, pushing, or running,” he says, emphasizing that sudden movements can interfere with the system. Elevators are designed with safety sensors, and abrupt actions can sometimes trigger them. Jumping, for example, can momentarily affect the balance of the elevator, potentially causing it to stop unexpectedly. While it might seem harmless or fun, especially to kids, it can create unnecessary risks. Pushing or roughhousing in such a confined space can also lead to injuries. Elevators aren’t designed for movement beyond normal standing or walking.
#13
My dad had a Razr phone back when they were still cool. Just to annoy him, my mom changed the ringtone to the sound of a meowing cat. My dad absolutely hated it, but didn’t change it.
Anyway, one day at work, he’s getting out of the elevator and accidentally drops his phone into the crack between the elevator car and the doors!
He calls maintenance and asks them if they can get his phone back, but they say sorry, we can’t do that. So he’s standing outside the elevator thinking of what to do and he gets an Idea. Running into a nearby office, he asks a coworker if he can use their desk phone for a second... and proceeds to call his own phone. He does this a few times.
A couple minutes later, someone else hysterically phones security, saying that there’s a cat stuck in the elevator shaft. A few other people in the elevator at the time corroborate the story, so the elevator maintenance folk run the elevator up the shaft and shine some light down there.
Meanwhile, my dad and some other people are standing by the open doors to the shaft, looking downwards.
My dad says, “Hey, I don’t see any cat...but I think I see my phone down there! Can you guys grab it for me?”
And they do.
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My dad arrived to find the maintenance guy cackling, looking into the bottom of the shaft. There were probably tens of thousands of magazines down there. They had to get a bunch of shovels, a small crew, and a rolling dumpster to clear it out. When it was all done, my dad decided to stay behind and pretend to read a newspaper while he sat in the lobby. After about half an hour, he sees an elderly patient holding a magazine, shuffling slowly toward the elevator. He stops in front of the doors, glances left, glances right, and quickly stoops down, slides the magazine into the gap, and shuffles away as fast as he can with a huge grin on his face. My dad could not help but laugh hysterically. This guy had probably been sliding magazines in there multiple times per day, every day, for decades. I should ask him whether he reported it or let the guy have his fun. Wouldn't surprise me if my dad went with the latter.
Another common mistake people make is trying to force the elevator doors open. “I know we’re all in a hurry,” Harish says, “but never use your hands, feet, or any object to hold or pry the doors open.” It might feel like you’re saving a few seconds, but it can actually damage the door mechanism. Modern elevators are equipped with sensors, and interfering with them can lead to malfunctions. If the doors don’t open in time, it’s always safer to wait for the next elevator. Forcing them can also pose a risk of getting your hand or belongings stuck.
#16
Best find: $100 CAD.
Worst find: 20+ year old banana peel.
Most interesting find: Glass eye (sorry whoever it belongs to, I have your eye on my shelf).
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There was a crash from the elevator area. The boss went to see what it was, came back white as a sheet, and said "*Do not go out there*." Two maintenance guys had been working on the elevator, one was in the bottom of the shaft, and the other one made one small error...
But I'm guessing the single most unusual item ever found at the bottom of an elevator shaft was a Wright R-2600 aircraft engine, on July 28, 1945 in the Empire State Building.
Harish further explains that applying pressure to elevator doors can be more dangerous than people realize. “External pressure can interfere with the door locking system, which is extremely risky,” he says. Elevator doors are designed to close and lock in a very specific way to ensure safety during movement. If that system is disrupted, it can affect how the elevator operates. He also stresses the importance of not overcrowding the elevator. Too many people inside can exceed the weight limit, which may cause the elevator to stall or refuse to move. Overcrowding can also make it harder for people to stand safely. Following capacity guidelines helps keep everything running smoothly. It’s all about using the space responsibly.
#19
Anyway, it was the first time I’d ever seen the auto-open eyes used, too. I worked on the executive floor, where long winded executives would often stop me as I was leaving. I got used to passing my hand through the doors to break the eye and hold the doors open.
You guessed it; my left hand didn’t trip the eye. The doors closed on my hand which was prevented from closing completely because of my heavy engagement and wedding rings. Crushed the whole mess and lost a two two carat diamond 22 stories below. My hand was only bruised, thank goodness for a safety shutoff.
I like to think that someday, someone will find a tiny treasure.