By Ivan Pereira
A U.S. Army National Guardsman who fought in Afghanistan accidentally fell to his death last Thursday while working at the Jamaica Armory, the Army announced.
Spec. Andrew Wilson of Queens was working on a skylight in the drill shed of the building, at 93-05 168th St., when he fell from the high space, according to the Army. Wilson was rushed to Jamaica Hospital but died later in the day, officials said.
“This is a tragic day for this family, the Guard and the Army. Our thoughts are with his family at this time and he will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved him,” Maj. Gen. Patrick Murphy, the adjutant general of New York and commander of the New York Army National Guard, said in a statement.
Wilson had been working with another soldier and spreading a tarp over the skylight when the accident took place, the Army said. His family could not be reached for comment and no information on funeral plans were given by the Army.
Police have ruled his death an accident, but the Army said it was still under investigation with their Army Safety Center division, a spokesman said.
The specialist joined the New York Army National Guard five years ago and served two tours in Afghanistan in 2008 and 2009, the Army said.
Reach reporter Ivan Pereira by e-mail at ipereira@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4546.
