An internal report prepared by Aberdeen University has revealed that a student was trapped in a lift for nearly four hours during a high-profile student occupation.
They took over a corridor and rooms in solidarity with striking lecturers in March of this year.
As the occupation drew to a close, a student became trapped in the lift at the Sir Duncan Rice library.
The alarm was raised at 5.30pm but due to blunders they remained sealed within the lift for three-and-a-half hours.
The report reveals contractors were contacted at 7.15pm but informed university authorities that nobody could be sent until after 9pm.
As a result, the assistance of fire crews had to be called for.
The author of the report accepts that errors were made, writing: “The security supervisor made the error of not following the protocol and sending someone down to the lift as per procedure to assure the person and call emergency services if needed.
“This has been discussed with the head of security and the procedure for a person trapped in a lift incident has also been reviewed and updated.
“The contractor responsible has also been given a stern warning.”
The same report revealed this week that a quarter of Aberdeen University’s buildings are in urgent need of repair.
Bosses will initially use loans to finance a £68 million refurbishment of the King’s College campus.
Over time they hope to attract increasing numbers of overseas students whose fees – up to £18,400 a year – will help fund further developments.
