A tragic accident occurred in New York City on Monday as a severe nor’easter caused a solar panel to break loose, striking a 76-year-old woman in Brooklyn as she walked nearby.
According to the NYPD and the Department of Buildings, a strong gust of wind dislodged the 41-by-87-inch solar panel from a rooftop carport located at an outdoor parking facility on Ocean Parkway, close to Brighton Beach Avenue in West Brighton.
The panel, propelled by the wind, soared approximately 20 feet before hitting Lyudmila Braun, who resided just a few blocks away and was passing by at the time, as reported by authorities.
The woman lost consciousness and was found unresponsive on the ground after the impact, according to police reports.
Emergency responders transported her to NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn, where she was sadly declared deceased, according to police accounts.
The authorities deemed her passing a tragic accident.
A wind advisory was currently in effect across the city, with the National Weather Service alerting the public to potential winds between 20 to 30 mph, with gusts reaching up to 45 mph, which posed risks for flying debris and could turn unsecured items into hazards.
In response to the situation, the Department of Buildings collaborated with the MTA to temporarily close one entrance of the nearby elevated Ocean Parkway Q train station “for public safety,” officials stated.
A partial vacate order was also enforced for the parking lot beneath the solar panel area, as confirmed by the department.
Further enforcement steps are pending as an investigation by the Department of Buildings continues, officials revealed.
This severe storm has led authorities to declare a state of emergency in New York City, as well as in Long Island and Westchester County.
The unfavorable weather conditions have also resulted in the cancellation of the city’s annual Columbus Day Parade.
