Repairman 'swallowed' by escalator in China

An repairman has suffered extensive injuries after being 'swallowed' by an escalator in China.

The accident took place outside a supermarket in the Beibei District of Chongqing Municipality.

According to local reports, the repairman had failed to disconnect the power to the escalator before getting to work.

When he removed a flooring section from the machine to proceed with the repair work, it allegedly resumed operation and pulled him under the steps.

Firefighters arrived on the scene and were seen cutting the man free.

The man, who has not been named, was taken to hospital and transferred to an intensive care unit, local media reported.

In July 2015, a woman was killed after falling through a loose section of escalator at a shopping centre in Jingzhou, Hubei province.