A Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) worker fell to his death early Tuesday while picking up debris on elevated subway tracks in Manhattan.
According to the New York Post, St. Clair Richards Stephens, age 23, leaned against a railing in the tunnel near the 125th Street subway station when it gave way and caused him to fall onto a lower set of tracks, striking his head.
The incident occurred just before 5 a.m., prompting EMS to come to the scene and try to revive him when other workers discovered him on the tracks, the Post reported. He was pronounced dead at the scene around 6 a.m., however.
Stephens had worked at the MTA for about six months.
"This is a tragedy, not just for this young man and his family, but for the entire city," TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano said in a statement. "While everyone else was asleep, this young man was working in a tunnel beneath Manhattan so others could get to work, or school, or wherever else they need to go to. We will be conducting an investigation to determine exactly what happened and assist the family in every way possible."
Police also are investigating, the Post reported.
The incident caused delays on the tracks where Stephens fell and on other tracks near the area, ABC7 reported. The MTA added 50 shuttle buses to help with the congestion while service was restored to the affected areas.
Bus service was free between 86th Street and 149th Street in both directions, the Post reported.
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