A GrabFood delivery rider was trapped inside a lift for about 25 minutes after the elevator began shaking violently during his journey downstairs.
The rider, identified as Shawn and believed to be in his early 30s, documented the ordeal in a TikTok video uploaded on Oct. 5. The video had attracted more than 16,000 views by the time AsiaOne reported the incident.
Lift Suddenly Began Shaking
Shawn said he had just completed a food delivery and was taking the lift down when the elevator suddenly began shaking heavily.
Despite the intense movement, he initially believed the lift was still operating normally because it continued travelling downward.
He said the situation quickly changed when the lift stopped and he became trapped on the second floor.
The rider did not indicate that he was injured, but the unexpected movement left him visibly shaken.
He Had Another Food Order Waiting
Adding to the pressure, Shawn still had another GrabFood order to deliver.
While trapped inside the lift, he contacted the customer waiting for the food and explained that he was stuck and would be delayed.
The situation meant that the customer would have to wait until Shawn could safely get out of the lift before the delivery could continue.
Rather than panicking, Shawn recorded part of the incident and later shared the experience online.
Lift Operator Arrives to Free Him
After about 25 minutes, a lift operator arrived to assist.
Footage from Shawn’s video shows the operator manually prying open the lift doors, allowing the trapped rider to finally step out.
“Finally!” Shawn exclaimed as he emerged from the lift.
He appeared relieved to be back outside after spending roughly 25 minutes inside the malfunctioning elevator.
In the caption accompanying his TikTok post, Shawn thanked the lift operator for keeping a promise to rescue him within 25 minutes.
Video Draws Attention Online
The incident quickly attracted attention on TikTok, where viewers watched Shawn recount how the lift began shaking while he was inside.
His account also resonated with other delivery riders, who regularly rely on lifts in residential blocks, condominiums and commercial buildings to complete orders.
For food delivery workers, lift problems can create more than just delays. Riders may be carrying hot food or drinks, working against delivery times and travelling through unfamiliar buildings, making unexpected access or equipment problems particularly stressful.
AsiaOne said it contacted Shawn for further information about the incident.
Another Grab Rider Recently Shared a Building Access Ordeal
The latest incident comes shortly after another Grab delivery rider shared a different problem involving access to a residential building.
In late September, a rider said he became stranded on the 30th floor of a condominium after entering a staircase whose exit door required a key.
The rider had completed deliveries on the 32nd and 30th floors before taking the stairs down. He then discovered that the staircase door was locked and said he initially had difficulty getting help because he had no mobile reception.
He eventually found an unlocked exit on the 27th floor and managed to leave the stairwell.
That rider described the experience as a “lesson learnt” and warned other delivery workers to check whether stairwell doors can be opened before relying on them.
A Reminder of the Challenges Delivery Riders Face
For riders who spend much of their working day moving between apartment blocks, offices and commercial buildings, seemingly routine parts of a delivery can sometimes become unexpected obstacles.
A lift malfunction can leave a rider unable to continue working, while locked stairwell doors can create another layer of difficulty when navigating large residential developments.
In Shawn’s case, however, the situation ended safely after the lift operator arrived and opened the doors.
His video has since given other riders and members of the public a glimpse into the unpredictable situations that can arise during what would otherwise be an ordinary food delivery.
For Shawn, the immediate concern was simple: get out safely, then get back to work — and hopefully make that waiting food delivery once the lift ordeal was over.
