Falling debris kills woman in New York City

A woman walking in New York City was hit and killed by debris that had fallen from a building.

It happened Tuesday morning in Midtown Manhattan, the Department of Buildings told ABC News.

By the time first responders arrived, the woman was unconscious, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

She was identified as Erica Tishman, an architect who had an office a few blocks away, The New York Times reported.

Officials didn't disclose what exactly fell and hit Tishman but did say an inspection after the accident found cracks in the facade and terra cotta pieces missing from the building, the Times reported.

The owner was told to immediately install a cover over the surrounding sidewalk, and work had started by Tuesday afternoon.

The Department of Buildings issued a permit for masonry repair on the building’s penthouse facade and roof in July.

The owners of the building had been fined earlier this year, with the department saying the facade was unsafe, the Times reported.

The owner paid the penalty but the case was still open because the owners did not confirm the repairs had been made, WNBC reported.

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