#West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice gets trapped in elevator at mansion

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice was trapped in an elevator at his home this week — and needed a team of rescuers to free him, his office said. 

The Republican pol was inside the lift at the Governor’s Mansion in Charleston around 1:30 p.m. Thursday when it suddenly malfunctioned, according to a statement released after the incident.

Rescuers — including mansion staff, the West Virginia State Police and General Services personnel — used a crowbar and other tools to breach the elevator’s doors. 

About a half-hour passed before the governor was able to escape. 

“I appreciate those who helped out this afternoon and the expressions of concern I’ve received,” Justice said in the statement. 

First lady Cathy Justice was also briefly trapped in the same elevator recently, the governor’s office said. 

“I’m just fine, thankfully, and so is Cathy after having a similar problem a few weeks ago,” the governor said. “I’ve asked maintenance and safety personnel to thoroughly inspect the elevator to determine how to prevent this from happening again, and to conduct a full review of the safety and soundness of the entire structure.”