The cause of death has been released for a father of two who died after becoming trapped in a freak escalator accident at a Massachusetts subway station earlier this year.
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Steven McCluskey was 40 years old.
The incident happened in February at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's (MBTA) Davis Station in Somerville after McCluskey fell while riding an escalator and became entangled in his clothing.
Cause of Death Released After Fatal Escalator Accident
According to officials, McCluskey died from asphyxiation, which led to hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, a type of brain injury caused by a lack of oxygen or reduced blood flow to the brain.
His death was ruled accidental, with blunt force trauma also listed as a contributing factor.
Surveillance footage obtained by WBTS and later shared on social media shows a man riding the escalator toward the platform at around 5 a.m. local time.
As McCluskey reached the bottom, he suddenly fell and became trapped.
WBTS reported that multiple people walked past over the following 22 minutes without offering assistance. Some briefly stopped before continuing on.
Sister Speaks Out Following Tragic Death
An MBTA employee eventually spotted McCluskey, pressed the emergency stop button, and called for help.
First responders arrived at the scene, but the father of two had no pulse. He died in hospital 10 days later.
"I'll be honest, I have never had such a lack of faith in humanity ever," Shannon Flaherty, McCluskey's sister, said.
"It has completely changed the perspective I have on people and human behavior. It is, for lack of a better word, despicable. I just can't believe that so many people had the same inclination to just walk by."
Following the tragedy, the MBTA reminded the public that anyone can stop an escalator during an emergency by pressing the clearly marked red stop button.
"It is important that the public knows that anyone can stop an escalator in an emergency by pressing the red button labeled 'STOP' at the top and bottom of each escalator," a statement read.
"They should also then immediately call 911."
"MBTA personnel respond swiftly to all emergencies and do everything they can to assist individuals and secure the situation."
Flaherty remembered her brother as a talented carpenter and a devoted father to his two sons.
