Fashion great Donatella Versace gets stuck in lift on way to collecting award in Los Angeles

Donatella Versace had to wriggle out of a lift after getting stuck inside on her way to an event in Los Angeles.

The Italian fashion design legend was seen struggling as the automatic doors jammed while several others scrambled to free her.

The 68-year-old was rescued and made it to a ceremony, where she was named the LA LGBT Center's first global ambassador.

It is understood the lift malfunction happened at the same venue as the ceremony and the ordeal went on for 10 to 15 minutes.

Accepting the award, Versace said: "It's so emotional for me, but also because I was stuck in the elevator.

"I thought I was never going to make it, but I did.”

Donatella has been the creative director of Versace fashion company, inheriting the title from her brother Gianni when he was murdered in 1997.

A video released on TMZ shows four people straining to open the life doors as Versace and several others inside the lift battled to become free.

Four firefighters are then seen running into the building to assist with efforts as Versace can be heard shouting “oh my god”.