WAYNESBORO, Pa. — A mechanical malfunction at the Waynesboro Waterworks car wash left a woman and her vehicle trapped inside the automated wash for about 45 minutes Thursday afternoon, authorities and the customer said.
Felicia Sullivan of Maryland was inside the wash on Philadelphia Avenue when the system abruptly shut down, the doors closed and she was unable to exit or get the attention of staff.
Sullivan documented the incident on TikTok, showing her attempts to press an emergency button that did not work and calling police after knocking on the doors and trying repeatedly to alert people outside.
Waynesboro police officers responded and, along with the car wash owner, helped free her and the vehicle shortly before 5 p.m.; Sullivan and her car were unharmed.
The car wash owner later apologized and provided Sullivan with a stack of gift cards, and the business said it will investigate the malfunction to prevent similar incidents. Officials did not report any injuries or additional community impact from the shutdown.