[Updated at 12:38 p.m.] An elevator worker was electrocuted to death while performing repair work yesterday evening at 1290 Sixth Avenue, between 51st and 52nd streets, a New York Fire Department spokesperson confirmed to The Real Deal.
A call came in reporting the incident at 9:31 p.m. yesterday the FDNY said. The 39-year old man, who the New York Daily News identified as Ed Bradley, was found on top of live wires, according to reports. New York Magazine reported that the man leaves behind three children.
A spokesperson for the New York City Police Department said that no criminal charges were filed.
Building workers told the News that Bradley worked for the Schindler Group, a Switzerland- based provider of elevator and escalator services. The Schindler Group was not immediately reachable.
The Department of Buildings is conducting an ongoing investigation, according to a spokesperson. She said it appears as though the elevator mechanic’s arm came into contact with transformer wires while he was working on an elevator vault on the ninth floor of the building.
The building is home to commercial brokerage Cushman & Wakefield’s global headquarters. Other tenants at the building include Microsoft, AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company, law firm Morrison & Foerster and Warner Music Group.
Although elevator service was suspended last night, a Cushman employee indicated that the elevator service was back up and running this morning. But a cease order was issued for the elevator in question, according to a report from NY1.
CoStar lists the building’s owner as Vornado Realty Trust. Calls to Vornado’s spokespeople were not immediately returned.
A spokesperson for Consolidated Edison said the utility “has nothing to do with [the incident].”