A COLCHESTER teen has described her “terrifying” experience as she and five friends were stuck in a lift for nearly an hour before having to be rescued.

Emine Bertangi and her five friends were visiting a block of flats in Hawkins Road in the Hythe last week.

What was a typical visit turned into a scary experience for the group after they got stuck in a lift.

Speaking to the Gazette, Emine said: “One of my friend’s aunty lives in a flat, so we went to pick him up.

“On the way down, we realised he forgot his key, so all got back in the lift to go back up and get it.

“The lift then started making weird noises and stopped, the door partly opened and all we saw was wires.

“We were all so scared and started freaking out, shouting for help, but no one was there.

“We tried ringing the buzzer too.

“We were all shouting not knowing what to do, but we said to stop moving around as we didn’t want it to fall down.”

After no avail from shouting for help and ringing the lift buzzer, Emine’s friend rang 999.

Gazette: Saved - the fire service worked to rescue the teensSaved - the fire service worked to rescue the teens (Image: Newsquest)

A spokesman for the Essex County Fire and Rescue Service confirmed firefighters were called to a block of flats in Hawkins Road, at 9.46pm on Friday, February 23.

They added: “On arrival, crews reported six people were trapped in a lift.

“Firefighters worked to rescue them by 10.17pm.”

“They were really quick which was good,” Emine said.

“It only took about eight minutes to arrive.

“They asked us how many were stuck in the lift and said they would get us out as quickly as possible.”

The 16-year-old said the group were “planning their funerals” to pass the time whilst being rescued.

Emine said: “We were all really excited to final get out, there was a gap just big enough for us all to get through and no one wanted to be the last out, I was second last.

“It was a terrifying experience.

“I will be taking the stairs from now on.”