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Building Where Elevator Worker Shocked to Death Had History of Complaints

An elevator worker was electrocuted at 1290 Sixth Ave. on Weds., March 28, 2012.
An elevator worker was electrocuted at 1290 Sixth Ave. on Weds., March 28, 2012.
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DNAinfo/Sonja Sharp

MANHATTAN — A building where an elevator mechanic was electrocuted Wednesday has a history of violations, including one for exposed wiring.

Ed Bradley, 44, was shocked to death while working in a ninth-floor mechanical room at 1290 Sixth Ave., near West 51st Street, about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, authorities said.

The repairman was doing routine maintenance in the motor room when his arm came in contact with a wire in the vault transformer, causing the fatal shock, a Department of Buildings spokeswoman said.

The DOB ordered the elevator — one of 45 in the building — shut down after his death but did not close the 43-story building.

The tragic incident occurred at the offices of life insurance company AXA Equitable, a Midtown high-rise that was hit with a violation in August 2010 for having exposed wires in an electrical closet that was also cited for having no lighting, DOB records show.

In addition, the building has dozens of elevator violations dating back to 1999, many of which were dismissed, according to the records.

Bradley, of Staten Island, worked for New Jersey-based Schindler Elevator Corporation, which is named in the list of DOB violations.

"We are extremely saddened by the tragic loss of our employee, Ed Bradley, an elevator mechanic who had worked for Schindler for approximately five years," read a statement from the company.

"The precise cause of the incident is not yet known. The situation is under investigation and it would be inappropriate to comment further. We are providing the authorities our full support and cooperation. The company has given the matter top priority and is monitoring the situation closely."

The incident remains under investigation, officials said.