Police responded to the Food Emporium at 452 West 43rd Street around 4:30 p.m. over reports of a fatal elevator device incident.
Department of Building officials say an investigation found that a supermarket employee was loading a small freight elevator at the cellar level, when the device moved upwards towards the first floor and caused head trauma to the worker.
Authorities say the 39-year-old woman was killed. Her identity has not yet been released.
The DOB has since issued a cease use order for the device.
It was determined Wednesday that the dumbwaiter was unregistered and illegal, DOB officials said.
The DOB released the following statement:
"This tragic incident shows just how dangerous unregistered illegally installed elevator devices can be for New Yorkers. We have shut down the dumbwaiter, and will be thoroughly investigating this incident."
Their investigation into the incident is ongoing.
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