Yak, having spent 20 years in the lift industry as a technician and was involved in commissioning and safety gear testing I can tell you lifts do not fall even if all ropes are cut, there is "gripper" gear located under the lift car which engage either in an over-speed situation or in the event of 1 or more ropes being broken or severed. This safety gear will engage on the rails and generally will stop the lift car within several metres.
