07.01.2025

Fatal boom lift incident

A man died last month after he struck or became trapped against a steel beam while elevating a boom lift, in Manhattan, New York City.

The incident occurred on December 13th on the site for a new 18 storey residential building near the intersection of Madison Avenue and Park Avenue, where the existing buildings are currently being demolished. Two men were in the platform at the time, and as they elevated the large telescopic boom lift. One of them, Jose Ramirez Munoz, 45, struck his head on a steel beam, the resulting injury proved fatal, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The other man, 35, was taken to hospital where he was reported to be stable.
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The scene shortly after the two men were taken to hospital

Complaints about safety at the site had previously been filed with the Department of Buildings, relating to falling debris. The department said the contractor overseeing the current work, which we understand is still demolition related, is Russo Development Enterprises.
A full investigation by OSHA is said to be ongoing.

The video below shows more detail