New York architect dies after plummeting from 47th floor of Midtown skyscraper

Witnesses say he became dizzy while taking measurements before falling of the ledge

Feliks Garcia
New York
Friday 16 September 2016 20:45 BST
<em>Facebook</em>
Facebook

New York police are investigating the death of an architect who fell from a high-rise in Midtown Manhattan.

Authorities identified the victim as 52-year-old Bruno Travalja, the owner of Crown Architectural Systems. He was reportedly taking measurements for a glass barrier to be installed on a rooftop terrace of the Flatotel when witnesses said he became dizzy and plummeted almost 47 stories Thursday afternoon.

The New York Daily News reported that Travalja was wearing a safety harness, but it was not secured to anything.

(Google Earth

His body was found on the second floor ledge of the building, only blocks away from Rockefeller Centre.

City officials ordered a halt to construction at the scene. NYPD and Department of Buildings officials are investigating the scene.

“He was the most honest, hard-working, truthful human being who ever walked the face of the planet,” his wife, Alexis Travalja, 40, told the Daily News. “It was a tragic accident.”

Travalja founded his company 11 years ago in Ridgewood, New Jersey. He was raised in Queens and attended the Pratt Institute, Ms Travalja said.

He leaves behind a 17-year-old daughter, and two sons, aged 15 and 13.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in