A 44-year-old mason on a construction job Downtown died yesterday after a freight elevator struck him in the head.

He was identified by the Allegheny County medical examiner as James Neely of Bellevue.

	John Beale, Post-Gazette A construction worker reacts after fellow worker James Neely was killed in an elevator accident Downtown yesterday. Click photo for larger image.

Mr. Neely, working for subcontractor Mariani & Richards Inc., died on the seventh floor of a building on Second Avenue, adjacent to the First Avenue light rail station, Pittsburgh police said.

While waiting for a freight elevator, he looked through the partially opened elevator door, said Ron Freeborough, president of Mariani & Richards. The elevator car then came into the shaft and hit Mr. Neely in the head.

Mr. Neely had worked for Mariani & Richards for about 20 years, Mr. Freeborough said.

"He was quiet, a private type, and a very good worker," he said.

Mr. Freeborough said his company began work in the building, called the Try Street Terminal, in March. It is being renovated into student apartments by the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.

Elevators frequently are used by construction crews to transport equipment in old warehouses.

Mr. Freeborough said he was unsure of whether the elevator car was coming up or down when it hit Mr. Neely.

Mr. Freeborough said it was a freak accident, saying he had never heard of a construction worker being hurt by an elevator in the 57-year history of his company.

Other employees were working with Mr. Neely, but they did not witness the accident, he said.

In addition to police, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating.