Papillion Fire Department crew honored for eastern Nebraska elevator rescue

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Five members of the Papillion Fire Department were honored Thursday for an elevator rescue last summer.

Papillion Fire Chief Robb Gottsch commended the actions of Acting Battalion Chief Tom Abe, Capt. Clayton Kulhanek, Todd Grosse, Ryan Bosshart and Hailey Olson.

The crew helped rescue three people stuck in an elevator at Ash Grove Cement Company in Louisville on July 27.

The Plattsmouth Volunteer Fire Department was also called in to help assist in the rescue.

Crews climbed up five stories in dark and hot conditions before reaching the elevator, which didn’t have air conditioning.

First responders then used a “rope retrieval system” to rescue the three people, officials said.  All three were expected to make full recoveries.