Earlier quoted context omitted.
Elevators use simple physical safety systems. Which is why you see headlines like: "Skyscraper elevator plunges 84 floors — and everyone survives" https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/elevator-plunge-chicago-1.4913...
Every link i’ve seen to this story annoys the hell out of me because they don’t explain HOW the elevator eventually stopped. That’s literally all I want to know.
Note that it wasn't descending particularly quickly; one cable snapped but other safety systems were still operable.