themselves trapped in an elevator.

And all was calm as members of the First Church of God Sanctuary choir waited for an hour before they were finally released.

The 14 singers were visiting King Edward VII Hospital to sing carols to patients in the extended care unit.

They were travelling to the unit in one of the old elevators when it stopped between floors.

One of the group, which included six men and eight women, said: "The lift just stopped. It was frightening but we managed to stay fairly calm. We were able to talk to the people outside through the doors.

"We tried to raise our spirits but we decided against singing because we thought it would expend too much oxygen.'' The hospital called the Bermuda Elevator Company and the Fire Service. Six firefighters stood by in case they were needed to force their way into the elevator.

Hospital administrator Mr. Hume Martin said: "It is one of the elevators that has been in service at least 40 years.

"The elevator company were the only ones with the key and so we had to wait until they arrived. It took about an hour.'' A technician from the company arrived and opened the doors to free the choir.

Services Manager, Mr. John Moran said: "We got a message to one of our men who was at Crawl Hill. He set off immediately and was at the hospital in 20 minutes and the choir were freed.

"The hospital did have a key but there is a special way of using it. We are training a security guard at the hospital to use it. This is not our usual policy because it is a specialised job.''