Washington Monument closed after elevator breakdown

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- The Washington Monument was closed Sunday after repeated problems with an elevator, a National Mall and Memorial Parks official said.

Originally, the monument closed Saturday night because of computer issues, which affected the elevator's control system, said National Park Service spokesman Mike Litterst. Two employees and one park service volunteer were trapped in the elevator for about 40 minutes about 9:30 p.m. Because the elevator was closed, 73 visitors on the observation deck were evacuated via stairs.

Then on Sunday, one National Park Service employee was inside when the elevator became stuck at the 490-foot level. The worker got out after the doors were reopened and the person walked down steps. About 50 people walked down the steps from the observation level.

The monument, which opened in 1894, is 555 feet tall with 897 steps, according to the National Park Service website.