Escalator Strangling Killed Man in Downtown Seattle (VIDEO)

In a report from Seattle’s King5, a 42-year-old man was strangled to death on an escalator in downtown Seattle when his clothing got caught in the machine. The tragedy happened early Sunday at the Benaroya Hall Metro Station.

A video surveillance provided by the police showed Maurecio Bell staggering and leaning on the side of the escalator. He then fell on his back as he went down to the end. It was then that his clothes were caught in the machine.

A passersby hit the emergency button about 10 minutes after the accident and administered CPR to the man and called for help.

Police said that a half-empty bottle of brandy was found in Bell’s back pocket.

The escalator has now been torn apart as the Washington Department of Labor and Industries is investigating.

Was it an accident that could have been avoided?