NYC officials on Monday released a report that finds safety protocols were ignored leading up to December’s fatal elevator accident in Midtown.
Investigators with the city Department of Investigation and Department of Buildings found that an important elevator safety mechanism was apparently turned off at 285 Madison Avenue right before Y&R advertising executive Suzanne Hart, 41, was crushed.
According to the report, a mechanic temporarily overrode a system that prevented the elevator from moving with its doors open on the morning of December 14.
Even though the mechanic says it was turned back on before Hart got in, the report finds that it did not re-engage.
Investigators also say workers from Transel Elevator company did not follow basic safety procedures such as placing caution tape across the elevator and asking the DOB to reinspect the elevator.
“Ms. Hart then entered the elevator at the exact split second that the elevator lifted up with the doors open and it took her with it and crushed her,” said DOI Commissioner Rose Gill Hearn.
The Department of Buildings has suspended the license of John Fichera, the owner of Transel, meaning he cannot perform any elevator upgrades, installations, or inspections in the city.
Transel also has 23 violations and must pay at least $117,000 in fines.
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