Man Hit By Falling Fire Escape In SoHo Dies

SOHO, NY — One person hit by parts of a falling fire escape in SoHo Friday afternoon has died, the NYPD said. The victim was identified by police as 58-year-old Richard Marchhart, of Garden City.

Police said they responded to the scene just after 1:45 p.m. Friday at 434 Broadway, near Howard Street. FDNY Deputy Assistant Chief Michael Gala said pieces of the falling fire escape fell seven stories down to the street around 1:30 p.m.

A man and woman walking on the street were struck by the falling metal, Gala said. According to the NYPD, a 24-year-old woman was struck by the debris and was alert and conscious when police responded. She suffered a minor laceration to the head.

Police said Marchhart was unconscious and unresponsive and suffered a possible skull fracture. Both victims were taken to Bellevue Hospital.

A building inspector who was standing on the fire escape when it fell suffered minor injuries, the FDNY said.

The investigation is ongoing.

Ciara McCarthy contributed to this report.

Patch will update this report.

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