NEW YORK, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Hours after he celebrated his 35th birthday at a New York nightclub, Orlando Valle died in a fall four stories down an elevator shaft, a report says.
The New York Times said early Saturday morning at B.E.D., a popular area nightclub, Valle fell down the elevator shaft after getting into a fight with a stranger.
Police said that the fighting duo had slammed against the closed elevator doors and their impact popped one of the doors open, allowing Valle to unfortunately slip through into the shaft.
After suffering multiple fractures to his skull in the fall, Valle died hours later at a nearby hospital.
The fight reportedly began after Valle, whose birthday was Friday, attempted to end an argument between two club workers and the niece of his girlfriend.
Police have since questioned the male club worker Valle had fought with, but have not filed any charges, the Times said.
New York Buildings Department inspector Kate Lindquist told the Times the elevator had previously been ordered to be taken out of service because of damage.
