Elevator, plane, Betty Lou and the Guinness Book of Records (11 photos)

How are they related? In the most amazing and incredible way.





B-25 bomber piloted by experienced pilot William Smith that day was performing quite peaceful tasks to deliver some cargo from Massachusetts to New York. July 28, 1945 visibility over New York left much to be desired, and the controller recommended landing on alternate airfield.



Lieutenant Colonel Smith

Apparently, the zealous leaped up, and the brave stubborn captain decided do it your way. I went where I planned - to the airport "La Guardia. He overestimated his abilities, made a mistake with a turn in the fog and instead of an airport, I ended up in a valley of skyscrapers. The plane was destined to meet with the 443-meter "Empire State Building" - the most tallest building in the world between 1931 and 1970. With its 79th floor.





Naturally, nothing good came of such a meeting. The crew died on the spot. One of the engines pierced through the building and was on the roof of a neighboring house. The other fell down the elevator shaft. Which in the building, taking into account the height and area, there were 73 pieces.






A fire broke out on the floor, 11 people died. Fortunately, firefighters responded immediately. And after 40 minutes the fire was extinguished, and all people from the floor were evacuated.






Betty with her husband

20-year-old Betty Lou Oliver worked in the building as an elevator operator. Remarkably, that day, July 28, was her last working day. A young woman and her husband were moving to another state.

At the time of the accident, she was in an elevator on the 80th floor. Betty Lou had a big shake and was thrown onto the playground. The result was fractures of the pelvis and spine. But compared to those poor people who failed to survive, everything was still quite nothing.



The victim was placed in a gurney and prepared for evacuation. When the chair with the girl was inside the cabin, the cables broke, and the elevator went down. In the general confusion, the elevator shaft was not checked, but the engine fell and broke the cable.

Here it is - a 300-meter track, which was supposed to end in inevitable death. But it didn't end. Looks like Betty Lou was a very responsible guardian angel. First, the cabin slowed down relative tightness of the mine and aerodynamic resistance air. Secondly, the broken cables ended up at the bottom and played a role a kind of shock-absorbing cushion.






One can only imagine the state of the unfortunate woman who miraculously escaped death and had to go downstairs to receive help. In seconds, the poor thing flashed before her eyes such a short and hopeful life...



"Empire State Building"

But a second miracle happened. Although Betty Lou got additional injuries, after which it was necessary to recover more six months, she survived. And she lived quite a long and worthy life, gave birth to children. And got into the Guinness Book of Records as a survivor for one day in two serious incidents. It must be assumed that the record holder I would have preferred to give up such glory, but there was no choice. And the case became another proof that miracles do happen.