New York architect killed by falling debris near Times Square

A 60-year-old architect was killed near Manhattan's Times Square on Tuesday morning when a piece of debris from a 17-story building fell and hit her on the head, officials said.

Erica L. Tishman was walking on the southeast corner of Seventh Avenue and 49th Street, just a few blocks away from her office, when the debris tumbled down, officials said. Tishman, a mother of three known for her volunteer work and service on several nonprofit boards, died at the scene.

The debris came from a building that had been fined by the city in April because of a "failure to maintain exterior building facade." The building dates back to 1915, and is owned by Himmel + Meringoff Properties. In a statement, the company said it is "saddened by this tragedy and our hearts go out to the family. The company will fully cooperate with the city in the ongoing matter."

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The New York Times reports that after the incident, the Department of Buildings inspected the building's facade, and found cracks and missing pieces of terra cotta. The city ordered Himmel + Meringoff to immediately install a sidewalk shed below the building in order to protect pedestrians.