What would happen if my shoelace got caught in an escalator?

[Snnipe_70E]

@moldybread

Happened to me in the New Orleans Superdome years ago. I was 8 yrs old. My dad had to yank on the shoe to free it. I think I was crying because I thought it was going to eat me.

Then at age 16 my cousin showed me a little trick to do at the mall when the escalator is loaded with people. Wedge your foot between adjacent treads and toward the top the escalator will stop suddenly. People will stumble forward and look around all confused.
Yes looking back I know see what a little pain in the arse I was. Anyway, there must be some sort of safety mechanism to stop the escalator if something is wedged in it.

I have seen people hurt when an escalator stopped and they were not ready for it. And not all escalators have skirt switches at the top. And if one that you try this on does not or it fails you could give up a few toes. Think of trying to stop a geared 5 hp motor with a body part.