Musician dies in elevator fall

Drummer Jerry Fuchs, 34, fell down an elevator shaft after...

12:26 09 November 2009

Jerry Fuchs, the drummer for music group !!! (pronounced Chk Chk Chk), has died after falling down an elevator shaft.

The 34-year-old musician was at a fundraising event in Williamsburg, New York when the lift he was travelling in became stuck. The star attempted to jump three or four feet from the lift to the fifth floor but plummeted to his death.

A spokesperson for the buildings department in New York told the New York Post: "It's a manual freight elevator, and it stopped somewhere above the fifth floor.

"The friend landed safely, but a piece of Fuchs's clothing caught on the elevator, causing him to be yanked backward as he jumped, sending him swinging back into the crevice separating the elevator from the fifth floor."

Fuchs fell to the bottom of the lift shaft and was rushed to hospital. He died at 3.30am as a result of his injuries.

Fuchs was best known for playing drums in New York-based dance-punk group !!!, but he also played for Turing Machine, Juan MacLean and Maserati.

MacLean posted a tribute to Fuchs on his website: "Jerry was one of my best and most loyal friends. He was hands-down the best drummer I have ever played with or seen."

Maserati's website stated: "We are humbled to have been able to create music with you for all these years, Jerry. You will be missed more than words can express. We love you, bro."