A 78-year-old Bronx man is recovering in the hospital after police said he fell down an elevator shaft on Sunday afternoon in Soundview.
Police said it happened around 1:30 p.m. at 1025 Boynton Ave. located between Bruckner Boulevard and Watson Avenue.
The victim’s loved ones declined to be interviewed, but they told News 12 the man left his sixth-floor apartment and went to take the elevator, then fell about a half-dozen stories.
The FDNY, NYPD, elevator technicians, and the city’s Department of Buildings were among those that responded to the scene.
FDNY Battalion Chief Walter Kowalski said the victim landed on top of the elevator car on the first floor and had to be hoisted by first responders.
“It’s [a rescue] that doesn’t occur every day, but our members train for it every day, and we’re well prepared,”
Kowalski said. “It took a little time to set up the operation, but once it was set up, we got the patient out and handed over to EMS.”
Kowalski said the victim was taken to a local hospital and is expected to be OK.