A tragic incident occurred on Thursday at the renowned Waldorf Astoria hotel in Manhattan, where a 45-year-old construction worker lost his life in a fatal fall. This devastating event was confirmed by both the police and the FDNY.
At around 9:30 a.m., first responders were summoned to the renowned Park Ave. hotel near E. 49th St. Upon arrival, they discovered the hardhat worker exhibiting injuries that were indicative of a fall from an elevated position, according to an NYPD spokesperson.
Tragically, the worker lost his life at the scene. However, his identity has not yet been disclosed.
During the inspection, it was discovered that the worker had been on a catwalk situated above a third-floor ballroom. His role involved supporting a master electrician in the installation of a metal framing system for wiring. Tragically, he lost his footing and inadvertently stepped onto a drywall ceiling, resulting in a devastating 40-foot fall to the floor below.
The Department of Buildings has issued a stop-work order on the project as inspectors investigate the circumstances surrounding the man’s fall, despite the presence of “extensive safeguards” required by the city, according to DOB spokesman Ryan Degan.
The iconic Waldorf Astoria hotel, which has been closed since 2017, is currently undergoing an extensive restoration project and is slated to reopen later this year.
The Waldorf underwent a major transformation, reducing the number of rooms from 1,400 to 375. This significant change allows the hotel to offer some of the most spacious accommodations in the city, while also providing permanent residences.
The Waldorf Astoria did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment about the construction worker’s death.
