Mechanical problems ruled out in Seattle Metro escalator strangling death

A new report says there were no mechanical problems with a Seattle Metro escalator where a man died of strangulation.

The Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) released the findings Tuesday of its investigation into the incident during the early morning hours of April 8.

Maurecio Bell, 42, of Seattle died of strangulation after falling on a University Street Station escalator. His shirt had become caught in the mechanism at the bottom of the stairway at the 3rd Avenue and Seneca Street Metro Transit tunnel underneath Benaroya Hall.

Bell was found in the early morning hours with an open bottle of brandy in his back pocket.

Although the report found no mechanical problems with the escalator that could have contributed to the incident, it did note the incident itself caused major damage to the machinery, making it impossible for investigators to know for sure what caused the incident.

“All of us who work on escalator safety are saddened by the death of this Seattle citizen, and our hearts go out to his family and friends,” said José Rodriguez, L&I Assistant Director for Field Services & Public Safety in a statement. “Although we found that Mr. Bell’s death was not caused by a malfunction, it doesn’t take away from the loss. Perhaps it’s a good time for us to remind everyone to take special care when riding an escalator.”

L&I says it has added more inspectors, tougher oversight and stiffer penalties for building owners who fail to make fixes to faulty escalators within 90 days of failing inspections.

The escalator was overdue for repairs at the time of the incident, L&I reported.