Colby M. Wochner of Blue Springs survived after he fell two stories from an escalator Saturday night at Independence Center. A witness at the mall sent KCTV5 this photo after the accident.INDEPENDENCE, MO (KCTV) -
A 26-year-old man has survived after falling from the top of an escalator at an Independence mall.
Independence police say they are investigating after Colby M. Wochner of Blue Springs fell two stories from an escalator Saturday night at Independence Center. Police are finding out that the fall from the escalator may have been the victim's fault.
Police believe Wochner may have been drinking alcohol earlier, and he wasn't riding the escalator as he should have been.
"We had a couple of reports that he tried to ride the escalator rail as it was going up," officer Tom Gentry said.
Wochner fell several feet onto an area in the food court, witnesses say, and he did survive his injuries. Police are not sure of the details as to how he fell.
"Did he fall backwards? Possible. We just don't know for sure," Gentry said.
Police say the escalator rails are not designed to hold a body.
"First and foremost, our concern is for the individual that was injured and we hope for his full recovery," a spokesperson for the mall said. "We are grateful to the Independence Police Department for their quick response."
Hospital officials said Wochner was in fair condition as of Monday afternoon.
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