Officials say a woman was killed Tuesday morning after a piece of a building fell on her near Times Square. [Updates Below]
An FDNY spokesperson said the deadly incident happened around 10:45 a.m. at 7th Avenue and West 49th Street. A police spokesperson confirmed that first responders found a 60-year-old woman unconscious and unresponsive, with trauma to the head; she was pronounced dead at the scene. According to police, she was struck by debris falling from the building above her. No other injuries were reported.
The woman was reportedly walking on 49th Street when she was struck by the debris. Sources told CBS2 a building facade gave way.
The investigation is still ongoing, and we'll update as we learn more information.
Update 3 p.m.: According to city building records, Himmel + Meringoff Properties, the owners of the property at 729 Seventh Avenue, were cited in April for “failure to maintain exterior building facade and appurtenances.” Building inspectors noted at the time “damaged terra cotta at areas above 15th floor in several locations which poses a falling hazard for pedestrians.”
The Times adds that in late November, the building received approval to begin masonry repair work on its facade, and that it would be installing scaffolding up to 150 feet tall to repair the facade.
Update 3:30 p.m.: The victim has now been identified as Erica Tishman. Tishman was a vice president at Zubatkin Owner Representation LLC, a project management company headquartered on 52nd Street.
A spokesperson from Himmel + Meringoff Properties said in a statement: “We are saddened by this tragedy and our hearts go out to the family. The company will fully cooperate with the City in the ongoing matter.”
