New York Building Involved In Deadly Elevator Accident Reportedly Issued Violations

Aug. 13, 2004
There are reports the Times Square building that was the site of Thursday's deadly elevator accident was cited for previous violations
There are reports the Times Square building that was the site of Thursday's deadly elevator accident was cited for previous violations.

The Department of Buildings says the freight elevator's counterweights, which keep it balanced, malfunctioned, causing the accident that killed 63-year-old elevator operator Carl DeClercq of Queens.

According to published reports Friday, the DOB issued 10 violations to the Ernst and Young building in May for failure to maintain an elevator. However, it's not clear whether the freight elevator was the source of any violations.

DeClercq was riding the elevator down in the high-rise at Eighth Avenue and West 41st Street when it fell several stories to the 19th floor, then shot up and crashed into the bottom of the roof.

Everyone in the building was evacuated, including former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, who has an office in the building.

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