BOSTON — There is no indication that any malfunction occurred with the elevator involved in the death of a Boston University lecturer in her Allston apartment building last month, according to a report released by state officials on Friday.
Written content by Maria Papadopoulos via Boston 25 News
“It is my conclusion that the elevator was operating as designed,” wrote state inspector Martin Guiod in his report.
Carrie O’Connor, a Boston University lecturer, died following the freak accident around 5 p.m. on Sept. 14. She was trying to fit a large package into the elevator when a neighbor witnessed the elevator suddenly plummet from the first floor to the basement without the doors properly closing, several other residents told Boston 25 News.
Friday’s report details the gruesome scene that investigators found on the day of the deadly accident.
Specifically, the state inspector wrote that when he arrived, O’Connor, who was found dead at the scene, had been extricated from the hoistway after being pinned between the hoistway wall and the elevator when the accident occurred.
“The elevator is approximately 60 years old and is a ‘bird cage’ style elevator with manual hoistway doors and a manual car gate that are closed by the elevator occupant,” the report states.
The inspector noticed damage to the hoistway door. The damage had occurred while emergency crews extricated O’Connor from the hoistway, the report states.
The elevator, which had been operating in the down direction, was situated in between the first floor lobby and basement floor, the report states.
“The elevator emergency stop switch was not labeled at the time of the accident,” the report states. “A package was lodged between the elevator and the front of the hoist way with a puncture wound in the top outer cardboard. This puncture in the box appears to have been caused by the box making contact with the gate switch.” Read more from Boston 25 News.
Here is a news report from the time of the accident, prior to the State’s report:
Follow News Without Politics for more interesting and amazing, important, and relevant U.S. and world news stories plus health, entertainment, sports, weather, food and more without media bias.
Stay informed daily. News fair and balanced, ahead of influence.
