Window washer falls 66 feet to death at JFK library in Boston
A window washer has died after plunging more than 60 feet to his death at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston, authorities said.
The man, who has not been identified pending an autopsy, fell five to seven stories, about 66 feet, from the library’s indoor pavilion around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, NBC10 Boston reported.
An employee of Gaeta Window Cleaning told the outlet that the victim worked for the company.
A representative for the Boston Police Department confirmed to The Post that an investigation into the incident is ongoing between homicide investigators and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
“Homicide is standard when there has been a death,” they said.
“No culpability or blame has been assigned.”
Shortly after the incident, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said the fall “does, at the end of the day, appear to be a tragic accident.”
“But we will engage in a thorough investigation together with the Boston Police Department and OSHA and all other relevant parties to determine exactly what happened here,” he continued.
The JFK Library was closed at the time of the fall. In light of the tragedy, the museum remained closed to the public on Thursday.
Tourist Jay Wilson was one of the visitors turned away in the wake of the fall.
“They were all locked and a Boston police officer told us it was an industrial accident they’re going to be closed the rest of the day,” he told Boston 25 News.
“Boy when you hear what it is, it’s unbelievable tragic, and you feel awful.”
In statement shared with The Post, Library and Museum Director Alan Price said the institution was “profoundly saddened” by the incident.
“This person has worked safely in our building for many years as a member of the team from the window cleaning company that was onsite this week to pressure wash the building.”
Dedicated in 1979, the national memorial to President John F. Kennedy was designed by Chinese architect I.M. Pei.
Situated on a 10-acre waterfront plot in the Dorchester neighborhood, the building is noted for its large geometric glass pavilion.
In addition to papers and correspondence from the Kennedy administration, the library also features books and documents by and about Ernest Hemingway.
