Boston lecturer crushed to death during elevator accident in her building
A Boston University professor has been crushed to death in an elevator accident in her apartment, according to reports.
Carrie O’Connor, 38, was identified as the woman involved in the horrific accident on Monday in Allston, Boston, according to WFXT.
Ms O’Connor was found in the elevator on the first floor and pronounced dead at the scene, CBS Boston reported.
Residents have said that the accident occured while the professor was trying to transport a package into the building.
“I heard someone that was bringing in a package out in the hallway, and then I heard an ungodly scream,” one resident told WCBV.
“Then we ran out into the hallway, and we saw a gentleman who was obviously in distress. He was screaming and hyperventilating, saying, ‘She’s dead! She’s dead!’ ”
A man who witnessed the accident has reportedly been taken to the hospital for trauma, according to The New York Post.
Eric Carmichael told WFXT that his wife told him she “heard a woman in distress and tried to help her out as a neighbor” but also said that it happened so fast, there was nothing she could do to help.
Ms O’Connor was a French lecturer in the school’s Romance Studies Department, according to her faculty page on the university’s website. She had just moved into the building a few weeks ago according to neighbours.
Her cause of death has reportedly been ruled as traumatic asphyxia, and officials confirmed it was accidental. Boston Police and OSHA are still investigating the incident.
The building reportedly dates back to 1920 but had been recently been inspected and was certified. Residents have described the elevator as “old fashioned”.
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