Six-Year-Old Girl Hospitalised After Falling Bricks Strike Her in Maspeth, Queens

A 6-year-old girl was struck by falling bricks while playing outside near 56-61 59th Avenue in Maspeth, Queens, shortly after 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 23. The child was transported to hospital with a broken leg and was listed in stable condition; she was scheduled for surgery on Friday. The New York City Department of Buildings responded to investigate the structural integrity of the building, with inspectors photographing the site. Police officers searched the surrounding sidewalk for debris. The incident raised fresh concern about maintenance of the city's ageing building stock. No other injuries were reported. The building's ownership and whether prior violations were on record had not been disclosed publicly at the time of reporting.