Man dies 'elevator surfing' in South Bronx building

SOUTH BRONX (WABC) -- Police say a man is dead after "elevator surfing" or playing the "Roller Coaster game" where you stand on the roof of an elevator in the South Bronx.

It happened shortly before 4 a.m. at the Adams Houses at 680 Tinton Avenue.

The elevators are now shut down and out of service as police investigate the death of Tito Morales.

Morales was a young man in his 20's whose body was found wedged between an elevator and the shaft wall between the 18th and 19th floors.

"I woke up this morning and they told me he passed away," said Jose Lora, the victim's friend, "I couldn't believe it, I was speechless."

His friend Jose Lora is shocked. Tito's family is overwhelmed by the gruesome nature of his unexplained death.

They huddled together for comfort outside the South Bronx houses.

Tito was last seen visiting friends in the building, they say.

His longtime friend Evangelita Presinal says, Tito was known for being a tattoo artist.

Officials with the city's Housing Authority would only say that this case is under investigation.

Lamont Davis, who lives in the building, says there are problems with the elevators frequently.

"Do you think he might have been surfing the elevator, do you think he tried to climb out of it?" Eyewitness News reporter Tim Fleischer asked.

"I think he got stuck and he tried to climb out, to get out. I don't actually know what happened or how he got stuck in there but I think that's what happened," Davis said.