A Toronto woman took to Twitter Wednesday, when she found herself trapped in a downtown location of The Bay that had closed for the night.
Emily Keeler, an editor and writer, live-tweeted her "terrifying" ordeal as she attempted to find a way out of the department store near the intersection of Yonge and Bloor Streets. She declined a request to be interviewed.
Toronto Police Const. Victor Kwong confirmed to CTVNews.ca that a woman called non-emergency police dispatch at around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday to report that she was stuck in the store. The Hudson’s Bay Company has not responded to a request for comment.
Keeler’s misadventure started just before 8 p.m.:
I am trapped at @HudsonsBay_Co at Yonge and Bloor and everything is closed, no one is here. Do I head to bedding for the night or?
— Emily M. Keeler (@emilymkeeler) February 27, 2014
Bonnie Brooks, can you hear me?
— Emily M. Keeler (@emilymkeeler) February 27, 2014
It wasn't long before her pleas caught the attention of other Twitter users, who quickly offered advice – some helpful, others not so much:
@emilymkeeler @HudsonsBay_Co Watch out for the mannequins - THEY COME ALIVE.
— Nathan Whitlock (@nathanwhitlock) February 27, 2014
@emilymkeeler @HudsonsBay_Co Are you actually in the bedding section? You are living my dream. Call the police: non-emergency # 416-808-2222
— Helen Spitzer (@helenSpitzer) February 27, 2014
@la_panique OMG FIND MUFFY THE MOUSE AND SEE IF SHE REALLY TALKS IN RHYME @emilymkeeler @nathanwhitlock @HudsonsBay_Co
— Kristin Foster (@KristinEff) February 27, 2014
@nathanwhitlock @HudsonsBay_Co this is actually terrifying!
— Emily M. Keeler (@emilymkeeler) February 27, 2014
But seriously how do I get out of here? pic.twitter.com/i3xOAnNkop
— Emily M. Keeler (@emilymkeeler) February 27, 2014
Keeler then caught the attention of a person in an adjacent office building:
Oh a person in the office building adjacent noticed me! Apparently I will soon be free!
— Emily M. Keeler (@emilymkeeler) February 27, 2014
A dude shouted thru the glass to say I should try the mythical fifth floor back doors first.
— Emily M. Keeler (@emilymkeeler) February 27, 2014
Nope! pic.twitter.com/Bi25ziDKJY
— Emily M. Keeler (@emilymkeeler) February 27, 2014
After her efforts to find an exit failed, she wondered if she might have to resort to reporting herself to police:
If they can't get a hold of HBC security in 10 or so, I guess I'll have to call the cops on myself?
— Emily M. Keeler (@emilymkeeler) February 27, 2014
Eventually she did just that:
Non emerge police dispatcher was all "what do you mean, you're trapped in a department store?"
— Emily M. Keeler (@emilymkeeler) February 27, 2014
She said that I should wait to see if the non HBC security guy can get ahold of management, as that's wha the cops would do.
— Emily M. Keeler (@emilymkeeler) February 27, 2014
Like, the cops can't literally break me outta here, I guess?
— Emily M. Keeler (@emilymkeeler) February 27, 2014
While she waited for help, she shared details and photos of what being in an empty department store is like:
@HollieKShaw pic.twitter.com/ms2pzivK4j
— Emily M. Keeler (@emilymkeeler) February 27, 2014
The in store radio is still playing. Including Bay Ads.
— Emily M. Keeler (@emilymkeeler) February 27, 2014
And while Keeler waited, others expressed their solidarity for her cause:
.@emilymkeeler We stand with you in your time of need #FreeOurEmily pic.twitter.com/lIZLHiK7HC
— Kristin Foster (@KristinEff) February 27, 2014
Finally, after being trapped for about 30 minutes, Keeler was freed:
These nice managers freed me! pic.twitter.com/5WR1mmgOAf
— Emily M. Keeler (@emilymkeeler) February 27, 2014
Thank you all for supporting me through this experience.
— Emily M. Keeler (@emilymkeeler) February 27, 2014
I am gonna get on the subway and go home now, I think I've embarrassed myself enough for one day.
— Emily M. Keeler (@emilymkeeler) February 27, 2014
