A spokesperson for Mary Greeley Medical Center said Wednesday that a brake panel in an elevator, which Tamela Sims was stuck in for nearly three hours prior to her death Sunday morning, had malfunctioned, causing the elevator to be stuck between floors.

Sims, of Ames, was being transported to the hospital's intensive care unit after her arrival at the emergency room when the elevator carrying her, several medical attendees and machines became stuck. Family members say the hospital had to send for a repairman from Des Moines, which resulted in the long period of time she was trapped inside.

Irina Bassis, director of community relations for the hospital, said an investigation into the matter had revealed that the elevator's brake panel had malfunctioned.

Sims' mother, Linda, had earlier expressed a number of questions about the way the incident had been handled by staff and questioning whether her daughter, who weighed an estimated 500 pounds, and the staff and equipment loaded onto the elevator might have exceeded the weight capacity.

Bassis said the elevator has a weight limit of 4,000 pounds, and the weight in the elevator at the time of the malfunction was only 2,000 pounds.

Bassis also said the details of the incident are being investigated within the hospital.

Tamela Sims was taken to the hospital after complaining of chest and arm pain. Linda Sims said her daughter suffered from several medical problems including diabetes. She arrived at the hospital at roughly 11:30 p.m. Saturday. At 3 a.m. Sunday, the decision was made to move her to the intensive care unit.

Bassis said Sims reached the intensive care unit in a stabilized condition at around 6 a.m. and reiterated that during her time in the elevator, she'd had access to medical personnel and supplies through the elevator's phone system and roof hatch.

However, Linda Sims has raised several issues that seem to indicate that her daughter had died during or shortly after her ordeal in the elevator, including a phone call from a nurse at 5:58 a.m. in which they told Linda Sims that they were "trying to bring (Tamela) back" with CPR. Linda Sims also noted that when she arrived at the hospital, her daughter's hands were already cold. She said a doctor had explained this by saying it was due to medication Sims was given during her treatment.

Meanwhile, family members are continuing to deal with the loss. Tamela Sims, a mother of four, was uninsured when she died, Linda Sims said, leaving her survivors to try to find money for her burial. The family also has been meeting with attorney Shawn Smith to try to obtain records relating to Tamela Sims' death and further investigate the matter.

Bassis said the hospital cannot release the time or cause of Tamela Sims' death without permission from the family, which they have not yet been given.

Luke Jennett can be reached at 232-2161, Ext. 343, or ljennett@amestrib.com.