Worker dies after concrete slab falls on him

From AMNY:

A 27-year-old construction worker was crushed to death Tuesday when a concrete slab fell on him while working on West 37th Street, police said.

The worker, who was not immediately identified, was excavating the site, between 8th and 9th avenues, at about 1:30 p.m., police said. The slab was part of the adjacent building's foundation wall and was not being moved at the time.

The man, from Jersey City, died at the scene, police said. A second worker narrowly escaped the falling debris and was found in the basement area with minor injuries, said FDNY Deputy Chief Joseph Carlsen.

The workers were excavating the soil around the foundation wall, which is standard practice, when the collapse occurred, said Department of Buildings Commissioner Rick Chandler. The building next door was evacuated as well.

The building is under construction to become an 18-story hotel, according to the DOB. The proposal was filed with the DOB in January.

The building is owned by Sam Chang and the McSam Hotel Group, which also owns several hotels in the area.