Construction worker falls to his death at 45-18 Court Square Saturday (GMaps)
May 25, 2021 By Christina Santucci
A 32-year-old construction worker fell to his death while working on a building in Long Island City over the weekend.
Diego Lliguicota, from Maspeth, fell while trying to remove a ladder from scaffolding on the sixth floor at 45-18 Court Square at about 9:30 a.m. Saturday, the Associated Press reported. He fell from the sixth floor to the second, authorities said.
Emergency responders brought him to Mount Sinai Queens in Astoria, where he was pronounced dead, police said.
The city Department of Buildings (DOB) is investigating Lliguicota’s death and placed a full stop work order on the building.
“Safety must be the top priority on every construction site across our city,” DOB spokesperson Andrew Rudansky said in a statement. “We are committed to conducting a thorough investigation to find out how this tragic fall occurred, and if we find that safety rules were ignored, we will hold those responsible to account.”
DOB records show that the building has 16 open Environmental Control Board (OATH) violations dating back to November, totaling nearly $50,000 in fines. OATH violations are issued by the DOB when properties are not compliant with construction codes and zoning regulations.
Emergency responders also were previously called to the construction site in July – when construction workers discovered a large crack in the top floor of the building and more than 100 workers were evacuated.
The building, which dates back to the 1920s, is undergoing an extensive renovation and expansion, including construction of a new six-story addition. The property is slated for use as lab and office space.
9 Comments
Did any local politician start a gofundme page for this worker?
Thanks to everyone who sent their condolences to my cousin Diego. He was laid to rest last Thursday. He left behind his mother, his wife, and brothers and sisters. I would love for a politician to recognize this story and for construction workers to be protected.
Middle Village and Maspeth need to become more diverse. Take a look at the Real Estate companies in these zones and it will answer your questions.
My condolences to his family.
Not a bad idea about the statue.
NYC no longer thegreatest city in thevworld unfortubately. Thanks to Democratic Socialist/Marxist / Communist leadership in DeBladio and Cuomo and Albany Dems.
The NO BAIL law whsre over 400 crimes were decriminalized. That require no bail and just gives. A desk appearance ticket, puts criminals back.on the dtreet within a day
This is a huge problem . Already butdened cops rearresting many of the same people over and over again. Just Dumb Dems doinjg what.they do.,they are soft on crime..Citizens not getting priority over criminals. Somethingwrong with that picture.
@MRLIC- The fact is you’re wrong and horribly misinformed. https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.usatoday.com/amp/40968963
How about a big statue honoring all construction workers who died on the job building the greatest city in the world…Make it happen.
– Proud Union Worker
That’s actually quite a good idea.
too many illegals are working there –