A New York City Housing Authority worker died after being crushed by a tree near the Cypress Hills playground in East New York on Saturday, as the city experienced this weekend’s Nor’easter.
The victim, a 56-year-old man whose name has not been released, was struck by a tree while walking through the parking lot at 700 Euclid Ave., where NYCHA’s Cypress Hills Houses complex is located.
“We can confirm this individual is a NYCHA employee,” said housing authority press secretary Michael Hogan. “We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and the NYCHA community.” It is unclear whether the worker was on duty. He was walking across a parking lot when he was struck.
A NYCHA worker was killed by a falling tree on Saturday in the Cypress Hills housing complex near the Cypress Hills Playground in East New York, Brooklyn. (Image source: NBC New York, FNTV)
The victim was rushed to Brooklyn Health-Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center, where he died, New York City police said.
City Parks Department inspectors and staff worked 12-hour shifts throughout the weekend to respond to storm damage to trees, according to the agency.
“As of 6 p.m. today, we have received 979 service requests for damaged or downed trees, 356 of which involved downed trees. Many of these reports may be duplicates,” the Parks Department said.
The City asks anyone who sees dangerous tree conditions to report it on the NYC Parks website, through the NYC Tree Map or by calling 3-1-1.
The city says if anyone is in immediate danger or emergency, please call 9-1-1. The Parks Department said it has forestry staff “dedicated to keeping New York City’s streets and parks safe and open to traffic.”
It was late on Saturday too. The New York City Fire Department confirmed that four people were injured after being hit by falling trees. The incident occurred around 5:30 p.m. near Kelly Park Playground at the intersection of East 14th Street and South Avenue in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. The victims were transported to Maimonides Medical Center with minor injuries.