A Vicksburg woman was severely injured Thursday evening when she became trapped in an elevator shaft on the second floor of the MAFAN Building, 1315 Adams St.

The incident occurred about 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

The 68-year-old building houses the First Baptist Church Medical and Dental Clinic.

First Baptist pastor Dr. Matt Buckles said Hester Pitts, 76, the clinic leader and one of its founders, tried to get on the elevator on the building’s second floor. The elevator, however, did not reach the floor, and Pitts stepped through the doors, fell, and the doors closed on her left leg, trapping her. He said she was able to brace herself by putting one arm on the top of the elevator.

“We had counselors on the second floor, and they heard her screams for help,” he said. “Someone called downstairs to turn off the electricity to the elevator so it wouldn’t move, and someone else called 911.”

Firefighters and police officers responded to the call, and firefighters were able to open the elevator doors and get Pitts out. Buckles said Pitts suffered a cut on her leg and bruising. Because of her injuries, he said, she was taken directly to University of Mississippi Medical Center. Her condition was unavailable.

“The VFD did a heroic effort to get her out of the elevator,” Buckles said. “We’re very glad it wasn’t any worse than it was. We thank God for that.”