UPDATE: In an unexpected turn of events, ABC’s star anchor George Stephanopoulos found himself in a precarious situation this morning when he was trapped in an elevator at the network’s new Hudson Square headquarters in New York City. The incident occurred around 8:15 AM, just as he was arriving for work.
Stephanopoulos, co-anchor of “Good Morning America,” was stuck for over an hour and 15 minutes before the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) arrived to rescue him. An insider revealed that both Stephanopoulos and his security personnel were trapped between the second and third floors when the elevator malfunctioned.
During his live segment on “GMA,” Stephanopoulos recounted the ordeal, stating, “We got to the second floor, and it just stopped. All I had to keep me entertained was the New York Times.” He humorously noted that had it been the New York Post, he might have sent the firefighters away to read longer.
The FDNY had to maneuver through the ceiling to reach him, deploying a ladder to safely bring him back to solid ground. “Thanks to the New York City Fire Department,” he expressed on-air as footage captured his rescue in shorts. “We were safe,” he assured viewers.
In a gesture of gratitude, Stephanopoulos arranged for a large breakfast to be delivered to FDNY Engine 24, Ladder 5, Battalion 2, located just blocks from ABC’s headquarters. The senior executive producer of “GMA,” Simone Swink, commented, “We appreciate our neighbors at the FDNY being ready to help us out so early and still get ‘GMA’ and George on the air!”
This incident comes on a high note for “GMA” as the show recently celebrated reclaiming the title of the No. 1 morning newscast for the first time in nearly two years, surpassing competitors like “Today.”
As viewers tune in for updates, the incident underscores the challenges and unpredictability that come with high-profile broadcasting, especially in a bustling city like New York. Stay tuned for further developments on this story.
