Man saved woman’s life by pushing her out of falling elevator in block of flats in Manhattan

The building had three active city Buildings Department violations, all for elevator defects dating back to May 2014

Mr Hewett-Brown had been attending a New Year’s Eve party at the 26-storey building (Google Street View )

A man died saving a woman’s life on New Year's Eve by pushing her out of a lift that was just about to fall, witnesses have claimed.

Stephen Hewett-Brown, 25, from the Bronx became trapped in lift that had broken, at around 11pm in a block of flats on Broome Street, Manhattan.

Witness Manuel Coronado told the New York Daily News that Mr Hewett-Brown pushed resident Erude Sanchez out of the lift before it fell down the shaft, with him inside.

“She started going in, but the elevator started going down and he pushed her out,” he said, translating for Ms Sanchez who spoke Spanish.

“It was sheer chance that the man was even in the elevator to aid Sanchez.”

Mr Coronado added that Mr Hewett-Brown said “Happy New Year” as he saved Ms Sanchez.

Other residents had called 911, but help didn’t come for 20-30 minutes, the New York Daily reported.

Mr Hewett-Brown was taken to New York Hospital, but a FDNY spokesman said he could not be saved.

Mr Hewett-Brown had been attending a New Year’s Eve party at the 26-storey building.

According to the Daily, the building had three active city Buildings Department violations, all for elevator defects and all dating back to May 30, 2014.

A spokesperson for Wavecrest Management, who runs the building, said no one would be available to comment until after the holiday weekend.