Son of famed NYC restaurant owner dies in freak accident at Madison Square Garden after falling ‘three floors while riding escalator’
- Ernest Vogliano, 61, was riding an escalator railing indoors when he fell to his death
- Vogliano reportedly fell three stories after a Rangers game at MSG
The son of a famous New York restaurant owner has died in a freak accident at Madison Square Garden after reportedly falling three stories while riding an escalator rail.
Ernest Vogliano, 61, fell to his death at around 10.40pm on Saturday after a Rangers game at the arena.
Emergency responders responded to an 911 call and the father of two was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Sources told the New York Post he “rided” on the escalator railing after the game.
Ernest Vogliano, 61, (pictured with his wife and children) was riding on an escalator railing at the arena after a Rangers game when he fell to his death around 10.40pm on Saturday, sources said
Emergency responders responded to an 911 call and the father of two was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where he was pronounced dead
It is not clear how Vogliano fell off the escalator and his widow Lesa has hired a lawyer to understand what happened as she claims she was not given details. Pictured: Madison Square Garden in New York
It is unclear whether the family will take action against the sports facility.
It is common for the escalators to shut down after shows, forcing fans to descend the metal stairs.
Vogliano’s late father, Ernest Sr., a famous NYC restaurant owner
Vogliano, the son of the late Ernest Vogliano Sr., who owned famed NYC restaurant Il Vagabondo, whose patrons included Tom Hanks and Cindy Crawford, died from blunt force trauma, an autopsy revealed. His death was classified as an accident.
It’s not clear how Vogliano fell off the escalator.
His widow Lesa has hired a lawyer to understand what happened as she claims she was not given details.
“We have no idea what happened, but they know,” family attorney Fred Eisenberg told the Post, citing employees at Madison Square Garden. “We need to review the evidence.
“We know he was there and we know he died.
“We would like to find out how.”
Vogliano’s late father, Ernest Sr., owned the famous Italian restaurant Il Vagabondo on the Upper East Side (pictured). The popular eatery saw the likes of Tom Hanks and Cindy Crawford pass through its doors before closing in 2019
Eisenberg on Wednesday asked Madison Square Garden officials to keep all evidence relevant to Vogliano’s death, including surveillance video, until it can be reviewed.
An MSG representative said on Wednesday that Vogliano’s death was a “tragic accident”.
“A fan of this Saturday’s Rangers game was injured in a tragic accident while leaving the venue and was immediately rushed to a local hospital where he died.
“Our deepest and heartfelt condolences go out to his loved ones.”
Vogliano’s late father, Ernest Sr., owned the famous Italian restaurant Il Vagabondo on the Upper East Side. The popular eatery saw the likes of Tom Hanks and Cindy Crawford pass through its doors before closing in 2019.
Vogliano is survived by his mother; siblings Robert, Jennifer and Marie; Children Blaze and Summer and his wife Lesa.