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Central Park Accident Under Investigation After Contractor Killed By Own Construction Van

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police said a man was killed by his own construction van in an accident Monday morning in Central Park.

It happened around 6:40 a.m. at 74th Street and East Drive.

Police were called to the scene by a supervisor, who found the 56-year-old New Jersey resident pinned underneath his own vehicle, 1010 WINS' Juliet Papa reported.

Police said the man was run over by the van after he opened the driver's side door and fell out. He then got caught underneath the wheel, CBS2's Ilana Gold reported. The vehicle was in reverse when the worker lost his footing, police said.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to the Parks Department, the man was a contractor with MSM Empire Construction, which is doing work in the park for the Central Park Conservancy.

"Our thoughts are with the family affected by today's tragedy," the Parks Department said in a statement. "We are currently working with the NYPD and the Central Park Conservancy to determine the cause of the accident."

The man's name has not been released.

The investigation into the accident is ongoing.

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