Officials: Man in a wheelchair dies after tumbling down Metro escalator

WASHINGTON - A man who was using an electric wheelchair has died after he tumbled down the escalator at the Columbia Heights Metro Station Wednesday afternoon.

Metro Transit Police say it happened at around 1:30 p.m. as the man rode the escalator to the top before falling.

They say the man initially waited to use an elevator for about 10 to 15 seconds, but then opted to use the escalator.

A station manager and bystanders tried to revive the man, but he was pronounced dead shortly after being taken to a local hospital.

An officer estimated that the escalator is about 100 feet long.

The victim has not been identified.