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."

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.

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