JauMarcus McFarland, a student-athlete staying in Clark Atlanta University housing, died when an elevator malfunctioned while he was on it. The teen was trapped between two floors for over an hour.
McFarland, 19, was a student at Champion Prep Academy in Atlanta. Since August, the teen had been at the school since it was a transitional program for individuals who had already graduated high school but were not yet ready to apply to college, reported Breaking Daily News.
The Missouri native was lodging in Clark Atlanta University student housing when the accident took place.
According to reports, McFarland and his teammates were heading to practice at around 3:00 p.m. when the elevator malfunctioned and freefell. His teammates tried to help him out, but he was stuck between the second and third floors.
First responders were able to reach McFarland after about an hour. He died of his injuries at the hospital.
Although his death is being considered an accident, there is some question about liability.
The elevator had not undergone an inspection in over a year, and McFarland’s friends claim that it generally looked “unkempt.”
They expressed their lack of surprise that it malfunctioned.
However, property manager Nathan Phillips denied that the elevator was not up to standard and blamed the accident on McFarland and his teammates placing too much weight in the lift.
Philips claimed that the elevator had 16 riders in it at one time that pushed it 1,000 pounds over its 3,000-pound weight limit.
In one of six 911 calls placed during the incident, the caller told the operator that there were nine or ten people in the elevator. However, the Atlanta Fire Department reported that 16 people were cleared from the elevator without injury.
McFarland is remembered as a humble and focused leader and talented football player who knew what he wanted out of life.
A GoFundMe page has been started for the young player’s family.
