> For future reference: do not try to escape from a malfunctioning elevator by yourself. The controller won't be locked out and the elevator can start moving without any notice. Use the emergency phone or button in the elevator and wait for a technician or the fire brigade to rescueue you.

I think this is very good advice for the US and western countries, where you can expect some technician/fire brigade to come and help. In the communist Eastern Europe of 3 decades ago, there were daily blackouts, and probably every single days a few hundred people got stuck in elevators because of the sudden loss of electricity. We all knew how to deal with the situation, it was part of life. A cable breaking was definitely unusual though. I never heard of it happening to anyone else.