A 30-year-old mechanic was crushed to death by an elevator car in Manhattan Friday morning, authorities say.
The man was in an elevator shaft at 75 West End Ave. on the Upper West Side when an empty elevator moved down three floors, pinning him underneath it, Roger Sakowich, a deputy assistant fire chief, said.
"There was some movement in the elevator and the gentleman below got crushed by the elevator between the first floor and the basement," Sakowich told reporters Friday.
The man was pronounced dead shortly after the accident.
Tenant Ryan Sher said the elevators in the buildings "have been a mess for years."
"These elevators have not worked in so long," tenant Lesley Pavia added.
Records show 12 elevator violations dating back to 2003, with three open violations considered major ones from last year for poor maintenance.
The landlord, the Brodsky Organization, said it was in the process of modernizing the elevator system.
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"We extend our sincere condolences, thoughts and prayers to his family, friends and co-workers at this time," the landlord said in a statement.
The city's buildings department is investigating.
