NY man killed by falling debris from apartment building

By Ray Downs | Feb. 19, 2018 at 12:14 AM

Members of the New York Fire Department stand outside the apartment building where a piece of a fire escape fell, killing one person and injuring another. Photo by New York Fire Department

Feb. 18 (UPI) — A 58-year-old New York man is dead after a piece of a fire escape from a Manhattan apartment building fell on top of him.

Richard Marchart was walking down a street in Manhattan’s Soho neighborhood on Friday when the object weighing more than 100 pounds fell. A 24-year-old woman was also injured by the falling debris.

“The man was bleeding. Both of them were on the sidewalk on the ground,” said Robert Barila, a vendor who witnessed the incident, according to AM New York. “I’m out here in the city every day and stuff falling from the sky is scary.”

New York Fire Department Deputy Assistant Chief Michael Gala Jr. said a building inspector was standing on the fire escape when it came loose and fell seven stories into Marchart, CBS New York reported.

“She actually fell partially through the fire escape,” Gala said. “Thankfully she was able to pull herself up.”

A prior inspection of the building in 2013 found no safety violation. Friday’s inspection was part of a routine evaluation New York City apartment buildings are required to have every five years.

Marchart left behind a wife and three children.