>> four other passengers are treated for minor injuries. but could these accidents have been stopped sooner? true or false? pushing the emergency stop button is the best way to halt a runaway escalator. the answer is false. the problem is a sudden accelerating escalator is. often caused when the gears detach from the gearbox. >> there's a stop at each end which stops the motor, but if the escalator equipment has become disconnected from the drive, the button is not going to do anything. >> you see escalators are more than just moving stairs. they are multi-ton moving machines that should be treated with the same respect as an automobile. to avoid injury or even death, remember these tips: hold children closely.