KOCHI: A therapist and a native of North India were seriously injured when the elevator collapsed at Thykoodam Sooryasarass Ayurveda Hospital. The accident happened at 8 am yesterday.

Sona Shaiju (25), a therapist from Pallath house, Kalloorkad, Muvattupuzha and Pratyusha Patro (25), a native of Odisha who came with the patient, were injured. Both were admitted to the intensive care unit of the Ernakulam Medical Trust Hospital. Their legs and spine got fractures.

The two boarded the elevator to go down from the top of the three-story hospital. After reaching the second floor, the lift suddenly dropped down. Hearing the noise, the hospital staff tried to break the lift door and take them out, but could not. A unit arrived from Gandhinagar fire station and after half an hour's effort, both of them were taken out and taken to the hospital.

The Chief Electrical Inspectorate had denied operating permission to the lift installed a year ago after finding faults including the dimensions of the cabin. The staff was operating the lift while the problem was resolved for reapplication. It was found that the slip of the rope cable caused the accident. Maradu police registered a case in the incident.