Elevator Kills Madison Ave. Ad Exec

NY Post- An ad executive taking the elevator to her Midtown office like any other day was crushed to death in front of two horrified fellow passengers yesterday when the car suddenly shot upward with the doors still open.

Suzanne Hart, 41, a top exec at Young & Rubicam, was halfway aboard an elevator in the ground-floor lobby of 285 Madison Ave. when suddenly it shot upward like a bullet.

Hart fell forward into the car, part of her body inside and part still outside the entryway, said authorities. The elevator — its doors still open — then got stuck between the building’s first and second floors.

Inside the elevator, the man and woman stuck with Hart were forced to look on in horror as she died just inches away — a scene so harrowing that both were left “in severe distress,” said Fire Lt. Glenn Berube, one of the first rescuers on the scene.

The surviving woman “was crying . . . She was so physically shaken, she looked like she was convulsing. It was very traumatic for her,” Berube said.

Though they were not physically hurt, both witnesses were hospitalized for treatment of psychological trauma.

It was hours after the 10 a.m. accident before workers could remove Hart’s body from the scene.

The elevator had been taken out of service in 2003 after Department of Buildings inspectors found a “hazardous safety violation,” a city-government source said. But that unspecified problem was corrected long ago, said the source.

City records indicate that the building’s 13 elevators — known to workers as creaky and scary — have piled up 56 violations in the past 11 years. Most were cleared up.

However, inspectors in June found several unspecified “administrative” violations of safety rules regarding the elevators.

City sources said the violations — though still listed as “open” on Department of Building records — appear to offer no explanation for yesterday’s tragedy.

Hart had everything going for her — a loving family and a solid career as one of the agency executives responsible for bringing new business to the worldwide advertising giant.

“She was a fantastic young woman,” said her grieving father, Alex Hart, who was flying to New York last night from his home in Florida.

“She was a talented woman. She had a lot of family and friends who loved her,” the distraught dad said between tears.

“I’m grateful for every day I had with her. I’m just sorry it happened so soon . . . I miss her.”

Suzanne moved about a year ago from Manhattan to a brownstone apartment in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, with her boyfriend, Chris Dicksen.

“She’s a beautiful person, and I don’t have words for this,” Dicksen said.

Just the day before she died, Suzanne had lunched with Young & Rubicam’s Global CEO, David Sable.

She was “someone I worked closely with, truly respected and, quite simply, adored,” Sable wrote in a memo to employees.

Hart grew up in California and graduated from Knox College in Illinois.

Away from work, she was interested in landscaping and had just completed a two-year course at New York Botanical Garden in The Bronx.

After yesterday’s accident, employees were evacuated from the building, which is expected to remain closed today.

Young & Rubicam, which owns the 25-story building on Madison Avenue at 40th Street, is preparing to move to a new location near Columbus Circle.

Woman Dies When Tractor-Trailer Wheels Hit Car; Police Search for Witness

PORT CHESTER — A 62-year-old woman died on Interstate 95 Tuesday afternoon after two rear wheels of a tractor-trailer flew off and crashed into her car, police said.

Adele Mancuso of Toms River, N.J., and formerly of Larchmont, was driving to her sister's Connecticut home to dog sit about 2:45 p.m., when the trailer's wheels came loose as it exited I-95 onto Interstate 287 at Exit 21. Police said the wheels traveled across three southbound lanes, striking Mancuso's car in the far left northbound lane.

"The tractor-trailer lost the whole rear axle with two wheels attached," state police Investigator Joseph Beccera said. "The entire axle compartment went airborne about 100 yards and crashed into the windshield and roof of the northbound vehicle."

Mancuso, formerly of 1299 Palmer Ave., Larchmont, had recently moved to Toms River to live with her boyfriend. She was killed instantly, Beccera said, noting the axle and wheels that struck her weighed well over 200 pounds and likely caused lethal injuries to her head and neck.

Police said Mancuso's mother, an 84-year-old Constance Casalina of Larchmont, was a passenger in the car and sustained what Beccera described as "miraculously" minor injuries. She was taken to Stamford Hospital, where she was treated for cuts to her arm.

After the crash Tuesday afternoon, the car involved, a Chevrolet Cavalier, was partially covered with a yellow tarpaulin. The roof was almost entirely collapsed and the windshield crushed.

Police said the driver of the tractor-trailer did not stop, but that investigators, using a license plate provided by someone at the scene, were able to locate him Tuesday evening in New Jersey.

Police had not charged the tractor-trailer driver with any wrongdoing in the crash by press time, but were questioning him, Beccera said.

His name was not released.

Police are asking for the public's help in locating a Hispanic male witness who might have stopped the tractor trailer on I-287 and informed the driver of his missing wheels.

Police said the tractor trailer drove off after speaking with the Hispanic driver.

All three northbound lanes were closed for about an hour and a half. The right lane was reopened for travel shortly after 4:30 p.m., but hours later, traffic remained at a near-standstill and was backed up far to the south.

The damaged car was sitting atop a flatbed tow truck at 6:15 p.m. as investigators continued their work. A crowd watched from a nearby overpass.

Patricia Carriere, 41, of Port Chester walked from her home to view the scene from the Grace Church Street overpass.

"Since I live right here, I just came to see," she said. "I just feel bad for the person that died."

Carriere said her husband uses I-95 often as a truck driver and that she has ridden along in his 18-wheeler. In her opinion, it was possible the driver of the tractor-trailer never realized a pair of wheels came off.

"If it was two middle ones," she said, "I don't even think you could notice."

Jose Lopez, an employee with Hannigan's Towing in Port Chester, said he towed Mancuso's Cavalier to the state police barracks in Tarrytown about 7:20 p.m.

Lopez said that during his 15-year career as a tow truck driver, he had seen numerous incidents similar to Tuesday's crash.

"That's why I've got to wake up and kiss my wife every day before I leave for work," he said. "You never know what's going to happen out there."

Shortly before 9 p.m., police reported all northbound lanes on I-95 had been reopened.
If you have information about the crash or the witness police are searching for, please contact the State Police at 914-524-0223 or 914-524-0229.

Notre Dame Student Tweets ‘I Guess I’ve Lived Long Enough’ Hours Before Dying In Freak Accident

Notre Dame, Indiana – A 20-year-old Notre Dame student was killed in a tragic accident after the scissor lift he was standing on toppled over in a strong gust of wind.

Declan Sullivan worked as a member of the athletic department’s video crew and was on the lift, which extends above the field’s goal posts, recording the team practice.

Hours before the accident occurred, Sullivan sent a prophetic messages to Twitter that read: ‘Gust of wind up to 60mph well today will be fun at work… I guess I’ve lived long enough.’ This was followed by another at 4.06pm, that read: ‘Holy f*ck holy f*ck this is terrifying.’

At 4:50pm, the tower would fall over in a 51mph gust of wind, fatally injuring Sullivan. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival.

Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said: ‘Our thoughts and prayers go out to Declan’s family and friends. Declan was a diligent student worker in our video department and had a tremendous personality and great sense of humour. He brightened the days for all that had the privilege to work with him and the Notre Dame football family will dearly miss him.’

Others are wondering why a student was even allowed on top of the lift in those conditions in the first place, a question the athletic department will have to answer eventually.

Teen Killed By Train Was Not On Tracks

VANCOUVER, Wash. -- A teenage girl struck and killed by a freight train in southwest Washington was not walking on the tracks when she was hit, according to a Burlington Northern Santa Fe spokesman.

Mindy Doster was a 17-year-old junior at Mountain View High School in Vancouver. She was struck near Evergreen Highway and 115th Court at about 5 p.m. Thursday.

Gus Melonas, a BNSF spokesman, said Doster was walking on the south side of the tracks near the Columbia River when she was hit by the train overhang.

The westbound train was traveling at a speed of 55 mph, investigators said. A railway spokesman said police found an iPod near Doster’s body.

Doster was the 15th person to be killed by a train in Washington this year.

Handicapped Man In Wheelchair Fatally Struck On Montauk Highway

WEST ISLIP, N.Y. (WPIX) — A handicapped man traveling in a motorized wheelchair was fatally struck Wednesday morning, as he attempted to cross the Montauk Highway in West Islip, authorities said.

According to Suffolk County police, Gary Johnson, 55, of Dix Hills, was crossing the Montauk at around 6:30 a.m. when he was hit by a Ford Mustang.

The driver, identified as 39-year-old Nancy Mecca of West Islip, remained at the scene until authorities arrived.

Johnson was transported to nearby Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. Mecca was also treated for minor injuries.

Mecca has not yet been charged as the investigation into the incident continues.

Police are asking anyone with information about the incident to call Crime Stoppers at 800-220-8477. All calls will remain confidential.

The fatal accident prompted authorities to close the road in both directions for nearly four hours, sparking major traffic headaches for commuters during the morning rush hour.

Mountain Goat Kills Hiker in Olympic National Park

BBC News- Robert Boardman was gored in the leg by the goat while out walking on Saturday with his wife and a friend on Klahhane Ridge in Olympic National Park.

The 63-year-old was transported by US Coast Guard helicopter to a hospital in Port Angeles, where he was pronounced dead.

Rangers later killed the goat, which was known for its aggressive behaviour.

Barb Maynes, park spokeswoman, told the Peninsula Daily News that in the past rangers had tried "hazing" the ram - inducing it to be frightened of people - by shooting it with bean bags and throwing rocks.

But there had been no reports of any incidents which would have warranted killing the goat, she added.

Witnesses said Mr Boardman, his wife and friend had stopped for lunch on Klahhane Ridge when the ram appeared and moved towards them.

Mr Boardman tried to shoo the animal away but it instead attacked him. After goring the hiker the goat stood over him, and had to be pelted with rocks by a ranger before finally moving away.

Some 300 mountain goats live in Olympic National Park. Found only in North America, they usually stand about 3ft (0.9m) at the shoulder and can weigh up to 300lbs (136kg).

Second Florida Landscaper This Month Drowns While Cutting Grass

You know, cause it's just such an easy and common thing to occur while cutting grass..(?) lol

NBC Miami- A landscaper was killed Tuesday after his lawnmower drove into a canal and pinned him underwater.

It's the second time this month a lawn mower has led to a landscaper drowning in South Florida.

On Tuesday, the unidentified man was mowing the grass at the Southern Pointe Apartments in Plantation when he got to close to the edge of the canal. Rescue officials said the man may have hit the accelerator too hard and his lawnmower popped a wheelie before toppling into the canal.

Coworkers eventually noticed the man was missing and found the lawnmower in the canal with the operator underneath.

The landscaping crew frantically tried to pull the large lawn mower off the man but they were unsuccessful. Fire rescue eventually arrived but by then it was too late.

It's the second fatal lawnmower accident in as many weeks. On Sept. 7, another landscaper was trapped underneath his equipment when it careened into a Lauderhill canal.

What A Freak Accident: Fallen Tree Kills Teen on Hammock

WINONA LAKE, Ind.- Two Grace College students were hit by a tree early Saturday morning near Winona Lake. Mallori Kastner, 18, died at the scene.

Kastner’s friend and fellow student Jeremy Mohr was airlifted to Parkview Hospital and was listed in critical condition as of Monday afternoon.

School officials confirmed the two were sitting in a hammock when one of the trees it was attached to broke at its base falling on the students. The tree was later discovered to be rotten.

Kastner was a freshman at Grace College and Seminary in Winona Lake and Mohr is a senior at the college majoring in sports management.

"We have met with Mallori's parents from Wabash, Indiana to comfort them, pray with them, and support them in ways possible. We have met with Jeremy's parents at the hospital in Fort Wayne [Saturday] morning to provide support for them. They have driven from Iowa to be with their son," Ron Manahan, president of Grace College, said in a statement. "We ask all the campus community to be committed to deep prayer for Mallori's and Jeremy's family and friends and for Jeremy's healing."


On-campus activities were canceled for the weekend. Classes resumed on Monday. Many members of the staff and students spent the day reflecting on Kastner who they said made an impression on the community during her short time there as a student.

“She’s just one of those people you want to be around because she just makes you laugh,” Kastner’s residence assistant Lauren McMillian said. “Even if people [did not] know her, they know someone who did so they’re going to be affected by this.”

Kastner was a 2010 graduate of Wabash High School and was a statewide volleyball standout. She continued to play volleyball at Grace College in her freshman year there.

The school’s athletic director, Chad Briscoe said Kastner saw more in Grace than just a school environment. She found a second family in her team and an outlet for her religious beliefs, he said.

School leaders said the same faith is what will carry the Christian college community through its grieving.
The campus counseling office is open until 6 p.m. Sunday for anyone who needs more support. After 6 p.m., the office will return to its regular on-call service.

Grace College is a small Christian college in Kosciusko County. The 2010-2011 enrollment is 1,773 students.

Funeral services will be held at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 188 W. Sinclair Street, Wabash on Wednesday, September 22 at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in Falls Cemetery in Wabash.

Calling is scheduled for 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service , 1241 Manchester Ave. Wabash, with a rosary service at 8:00pm at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials are to the Wabash High School Volleyball Team or Grace College Volleyball Team.

Down the Shaft!

Dreamin'Demon- An impatient 40-year-old man known only as “Mr. Lee” plunged to his death down an elevator shaft at a shopping center last August after getting all testy because a woman inside the elevator failed to hold the door for him.

As the attached video shows, Mr. Lee bumped the elevator doors with his scooter as they slammed shut in his face. Mr. Lee attempted to recall the elevator by pressing the button a few times. When that didn’t work, he threw the scooter into reverse, backed it up a bit, and proceeded to ram into the doors at full speed. Though he left a good-sized dent in the cheap ass doors and loosened ‘em up a bit, they remained closed.

Perhaps thinking that the third time’s the charm, he backed it up and hit the throttle again. This time, the flimsy doors didn’t hold. Oopsie!! He and the scooter made a hard landing about 19 feet down. Officials at the shopping center have since vowed to strengthen the doors of the lifts to ensure such a thing never happens again.

Watch video, straight from Daejon, South Korea:

EMBED-Motorized Scooter Crashes Through Elevator - Watch more free videos

Billy Mays, OxiClean Pitchman, Found Dead

(CNN) -- Infomercial pitchman Billy Mays died at his Tampa, Florida, home Sunday morning, authorities told CNN.

The 50-year-old known for his shouting OxiClean ads was pronounced dead at 7:45 a.m. The Hillborough County medical examiner will perform an autopsy, Tampa police Lt. Brian Dugan said.

Mays was on the US Airways flight from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Tampa on Saturday that had a hard landing at Tampa International Airport when the plane's front tire blew out. There were no reported injuries on Flight 1241, US Airways told CNN.

According to a local Tampa TV station, Mays said: "All of a sudden as we hit you know it was just the hardest hit, all the things from the ceiling started dropping. It hit me on the head, but I got a hard head."

The bearded Mays was a spokesman for Orange Glo and detergent OxiClean and appeared in commercials for other products.

He is featured on the reality TV show ''Pitchmen'' on the Discovery Channel, which follows pitch people in their jobs.

"It is with incredible sadness that we have to report that Billy Mays died in his sleep last night," said a statement from the Discovery Channel. "Everyone that knows him was aware of his larger-than-life personality, generosity and warmth. Billy was a pioneer in his field and helped many people fulfill their dreams. He will be greatly missed as a loyal and compassionate friend. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family at this time of incredible loss."

2 Boca Raton Children Die in Freak Florida SUV Accident

Why would the children have gone to the garage?

BOCA RATON, FL(JusticeNewsFlash.com)—Two Loggers Run Middle School students were found dead from carbon monoxide fumes originating from an idling SUV in the family’s garage on Sunday morning.

Caitlin Brondolo and Amber Wilson, both 11 year-olds, whom have been best friends since kindergarten, passed away during a sleepover at Amber’s home on the 11541 Island Lakes Lane as reported by The Palm Beach Post.

Loretta Wilson, 45, mother of Amber woke around 9 a.m. and tried to wake her daughter Amber and her friend Caitlin. Loretta, who dialed 911 was too affected by the fumes to communicate with Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel and was taken to West Boca Medical Center, where she didn’t know the state of the two young girls until hours later. Emergency Workers found one girl deceased in a front bedroom and one girl in the kitchen. A small family dog was affected by the incident and treated by the Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control then later returned to neighbors after determining the pet was OK.

Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Department detectives revealed the mother claimed after she returned from a trip to the neighborhood Walmart, around 10:30 p.m. Saturday night, she was unable to turn off the Ford SUV’s engine. Wilson allegedly pulled the SUV into the attached garage, closed the garage door, went inside, and fell asleep. Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Deputies said Wilson may have left the vehicle running in the closed garage.

Boca Raton area police investigators searched Wilson’s home on Sunday morning to find her car keys on the kitchen counter and the Ford automobile in the garage with a half tank of fuel. As of right now there is no indication of foul play and this appears to be a tragic accident. The Sheriff’s special investigation division and the Department of Children and Families are working together investigating the girls’ deaths.

JusticeNewsFlash.com news for Florida personal injury attorneys.

Thousand-Pound Slab Kills Pest Exterminator

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- A concrete porch collapsed and killed a termite exterminator Monday afternoon in Curtis Park.

Capt. Jim Doucette, with the Sacramento Fire Department, said two workers were underneath a vacant house on the 2800 block of 27th Street at about 1:30 p.m. when the porch fell on them.

"In my experience, almost 30 years, it's a freak accident," Doucette said.

Rescuers used air bags to lift a 4-foot by 6-foot concrete slab, weighing at least 1,000 pounds, off the victim. Although crews got to the home within minutes, it took nearly a half-hour to pull the man from under the massive slab. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

"He was a good man, a good provider," said Leslie Osterhoudt, the victim's wife.

She identified the man as Russell Osterhoudt, who has a current pest control license with the state of California.

Doucette said it's not clear why the porch collapsed, but he said the house probably was built in the 1920s.

Osterhoudt was removing dry rot at the time, according to the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health. The agency said it could take up to six months to complete its investigation into the worker's death.

The other worker under the house wasn't hurt.

A caretaker had been living at the home until recently, but the owner passed away several months ago. Family members were trying to get the home ready to sell.