Abstract: An emergency elevator which has a guided cage and a cylinder with closed ends. Valves communicate with the interior of the cylinder adjacent its ends. An additional valve communicates with the interior of the cylinder at a location between one end of the cylinder and the associated valve. A piston is slidably disposed in the cylinder and connected to the cage so that the downward movement of the cage is restrained. A counterweight is coupled to the cage and is of a sufficient weight to raise the cage when it is empty. The counterweight is conveniently disposed within the cylinder and can be integral with the piston.