Window washer dies after he falls from 7th floor inside Boston's JFK Library while on routine clean-up duty
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS: A window washer died after plunging 66 feet to his death from the seventh floor inside the John F Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston on October 5, at 10.30 am on Wednesday morning.
The worker was seriously injured when the police got into the scene and he was eventually declared dead. Alan Price, the director of the John F Kennedy Library, issued a statement after the worker died, saying, "We are profoundly saddened by the death of a contractor who was washing windows in our facility earlier today. We offer our deepest condolences to his loved ones and colleagues."
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According to Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden, the employee fell inside the building from his cleaning perch that was atleast 5 to 7 storeys off the ground, reported CBS News. "It does, at the end of the day, appear to be a tragic accident, but we will engage in a thorough investigation together with the Boston Police Department, OSHA and all other relevant parties," Kevin Hayden said. An investigation has also been started by the Gaeta Window Cleaning, the company who employed the window washer.
The statement released by the library also mentioned investigations to rule out any foul play. "Workplace safety has always been a priority in our facility. The Boston Police Department and OSHA are conducting a full investigation into this tragic incident. This person has worked safely in our building for many years as a member of the team from the window cleaning company that was onsite this week to pressure wash the building. Due to inclement weather, they moved inside to clean the interior of the Pavilion glass. This company has been cleaning the Library's windows for years and conducts Pavilion window cleaning twice a year."
Calling the accident a "shocking and tragic event," it expressed the "deepest sorrow," extending condolences to his family and the JFK Library family left shaken by the horrific death. On the day of the incident, the library was closed as it is always closed on Wednesdays. The building will remain closed on Thursday, Oct 6, and will open again on Friday, Oct 7.
The national memorial of President John F Kennedy is situated on a 10-acre waterfront property, With sweeping views of Boston's skyline and the Harbor Islands. The library features 22 ongoing displays that trace President Kennedy's life from his early years to his assassination in 1963. Jimmy Carter gave a speech of dedication before it opened in 1979. The 115,000 square foot presidential library was built in 1979 and was designed by I.M. Pei. The structure has a tower that is nine floors tall and has a covered pavilion that is 115 feet tall.