Update: Shoppers trapped in lift at Galashiels Tesco for two hours now freed

A fire crew was first called to the Paton Street supermarket just after 11am.

Officers were initially unable to free the customers, at least one of whom was reported to be an elderly man, but, after the arrival of a lift engineer, they were able to assist in the release of the five customers inside.

An ambulance was also in attendance.

A spokesperson for Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said the customers were all given health checks but none appeared to be any the worse for their ordeal.

She added: “We were alerted at 11.12am on Wednesday, February 19, to reports of members of the public stuck within a lift at a supermarket in Galashiels.

“One appliance was mobilised to the store, where crews worked with a lift operator to assist in the safe removal of five people from the lift.

“All individuals were given a precautionary check by the Scottish Ambulance Service, and fire crews left at 1.03pm.”

Tesco bosses have apologised to the trapped customers for their ordeal and say they will not be reopening the lift until it is proved to be fully operational.

A spokesperson for the chain said: “We’re extremely sorry this happened and are pleased that our customers are now out of the lift.

“We’re grateful to the emergency services, who were on site quickly and were able to resolve this.

“We won’t be opening the lift again until we’re completely confident it is working properly.”