Commuters trapped in packed Tube lift at Elephant and Castle for over an hour

Tube passengers were stuck in a crowded lift for more than an hour as engineers and firefighters struggled to free commuters.

Fire crews were called to reports of 23 people who were trapped inside a malfunctioning lift at Elephant and Castle station during rush hour on Wednesday.

There were reports that one of the passengers collapsed as efforts were made to free them, but these could not immediately be confirmed.

Lift engineers had reportedly been at the scene for "some time" before fire crews arrived at about 7.30pm, but were unable fix the problem.

It is understood that the first firefighters at the scene then then had to call for a specialist rescue unit before those inside could finally be brought to safety.

At least two fire engines attended, along with an ambulance and police.

Lance Ramsay, the Bakerloo line's general manager, said: “We apologise to our customers who were stuck in a lift at Elephant & Castle station on Wednesday evening.

"Our station staff immediately followed procedure and contacted our Emergency Response Unit, the London Ambulance Service and the London Fire Brigade.

"The team worked to release people as quickly as possible, which took just over an hour."