Employee Dies in Accident in Crosby Hall

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- A maintenance employee of the University at Buffalo died today in an apparent steam-pipe accident in the basement of Crosby Hall on the UB South (Main Street) Campus.

The name of the employee will not be released until relatives are notified.

Following the incident, UB President William R. Greiner announced that Crosby Hall has been closed until further notice. Classes and all activities held in Crosby Hall have been cancelled for Thursday and Friday. Only Crosby Hall has been affected; all other classes and activities on the South Campus will go on as planned.

Greiner noted that "the entire University at Buffalo community joins me in expressing our great sorrow for this tragic loss. Although a rare occurrence for UB, we are all seriously affected when such a sudden and horrible event does occur in our UB family."

He added: "With the heaviest of hearts, we send our deepest condolences an sympathies to the employee's family and friends, as well as to his friends and colleagues in University Facilities."

Vice President for University Services Kevin Seitz said the university is investigating the incident, which was discovered this afternoon. The University Police, as well as the Buffalo Police and Fire departments, responded to the incident.

No other injures were reported.

Crosby Hall, which houses programs of the UB School of Architecture and Planning, has been closed until further notice. Classes and all activities held in Crosby Hall have been cancelled for Thursday and Friday.

Students, faculty and staff in the School of Architecture and Planning should call 829-3485 over the weekend for notice on reopening.

Further information will be released when available.