1 dead, 4 hurt in Brooklyn building collapse

  Eyewitness NewsNEW YORK (WABC) -- One worker was killed and another seriously injured in a building collapse in Brooklyn Monday morning.

Three other workers suffered minor injuries.

The collapse happened at 227 Carlton Avenue, a four-story building, in the Fort Greene section around 9 a.m. The building appeared to be under construction, and officials say I-beams gave way.

Two workers were trapped in the basement and had to be rescued. One was removed in cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead at the hospital. The other worker suffered a shoulder injury and was listed in serious condition with non-life threatening injuries.

They were among five men working on top floor when it collapsed underneath them. The two fell about 30 feet into the basement.

Authorities say that all the workers are accounted for.

The New York City Department of Buildings is investigating whether improper methods led to the collapse. The company, Professional Grade Construction, received permits for the work in February. Officials say there have been no complains, violations or citations since construction began.

CLICK HERE to see images from the scene.

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Dog severely beaten in East Harlem building

  Eyewitness NewsNEW YORK -- New York City police have released a surveillance video showing a dog being severely beaten in a Harlem building elevator.

The beating occurred at the Wagner Houses on East 120th Street in Harlem on Aug. 26.

The video (beating edited out above) shows a man kicking and striking the medium-sized dog multiple times.

Police ask anyone with information about the incident to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.

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Building reopening after Midtown elevator death

  Eyewitness NewsNEW YORK (WABC) -- The Midtown office building where an elevator crushed a woman to death is reopening Tuesday with partial elevator service.

But at least one witness to last month's accident says she'll never step foot in an elevator again.

Tuesday marks the first time many nervous workers will return to 285 Madison Avenue since the accident that left 41-year-old Suzanne Hart dead.

But only half of the building's occupants are returning to work. The elevators that served floors 12 to 25 have passed inspection and are resuming operation, but floors 3 through 10 are still shut down. That's the elevator bank where Hart was killed.

Investigators say her leg was caught in the door when the elevator rose suddenly, dragging her between floors. Now, one of the people inside the elevator car at the time of the accident has filed a lawsuit.

According to the Daily News, 36-year-old Kathleen Mullahy says she is so traumtized by the incident, she can no ride in elevators. Mullahy and another worker were trapped in the stuck elevator after Hart's death.

She is suing both Y&R, the advertising agency where she and Hart worked, and the elevator repair company that worked on the elevator just hours before the deadly accident.

Offices on the lower floors will remain closed until the Department of Buildings has completed its investigation.

Y&R is planning to move to a new location in 2013.

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