14.04.2008

Fatal Fall

A man installing windows on a residential high rise tower under construction at East 67th Street, near First Avenue, New York, fell to his death yesterday after a nylon safety strap attaching him and his harness to the building, failed.

The man has been identified as Kevin Kelly, 25, of Bayside, Queens. He fell from the 21st to the 14th floor where he landed on an obstruction that prevented him falling further. No one else was injured.

Patricia J. Lancaster, New York commissioner of buildings, told reporters at the scene that it was unclear who was at fault. “We will be holding the individuals responsible for this terrible tragedy accountable,” she said.

The Buildings Department has imposed a full stop work order on the site. A full safety inspection is under way, and Buildings forensic engineers are investigating the incident.

The worker was employed by New York Window, a subcontractor to the general contractor, Hunter Roberts Construction Group. The developer is the Alexico Group, based in Manhattan.