Scared family trapped in SkyTower lift

Firefighters speak to relatives of the trapped family in the basement of the SkyTower. Photo / Janna Dixon

A family was trapped in a SkyTower lift for 45 minutes today.

The fire brigade freed the family at about 12.45 pm today from the lift car, which was on the ground level.

Economics professor Ananish Chaudhuri said the lift technicians did not respond so someone had to call 111.

"My dad is 82 so he was fairly claustrophobic, the children were getting fairly scared," he said.

Sky City officials did not return calls.

Fire northern communications shift manager Megan Ruru said seven people were rescued and none needed medical treatment.

Two fire trucks and an ambulance were sent.