A worker employed by the Central Park Conservancy was crushed to death by his own van in Central Park after he got out of the car to open a gate Monday morning, authorities said.
The man died in the accident at about 6:40 a.m. near East Drive and 74th Street, according to the FDNY.
The victim, a 56-year-old man, was en route to a construction site at the Central Park Ramble when he got out of the van to open a gate, authorities said.
He was working for the Central Park Conservancy as part of a restoration project to sustain Central Park's woodland landscapes. The project includes rebuilidng paths, restoring drainage and expanding irrigation in the park.
"Our thoughts are with the family affected by today's tragedy. We are currently working with the NYPD and the Central Park Conservancy to determine the cause of the accident," the Parks Departement said in a statement.
When cops got on scene, they found the man pinned underneath the front driver's side tire, authorities siad.
The victim went into cardiac arrest at the scene of the crash and was declared dead a short time later.
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The NYPD's collision squad is investigating the death.
