The younger window washer who fell seven tales to his demise in Washington Heights was an Ecuadorian immigrant who all the time put security first and appeared out for others on the job, his cousin informed The Information.
“He was a superb employee. He prioritized security and he would even look out for the opposite employees, too. That’s why it’s actually tragic what occurred,” Vissey Bustamante stated of his 25-year-old cousin, Jahir Bustamante.
Bustamante, initially from Macara, Ecuador, immigrated to the U.S., “for a greater life” round 4 to 5 years in the past, Vissey, 23, stated.
“In Ecuador it’s fairly unhealthy,” the cousin defined. “There’s violence, and there’s no work.”
Upon arriving within the U.S., Bustamante moved in with Vissey’s household in New Jersey and picked up work at Vissey’s father’s window washing firm.
“My dad all the time taught him — and taught all the fellows that labored for us — all about security,” Vissey stated. “Every part was security first as a result of that line of labor could be very, very harmful.”
The cousin stated his father, Bustamante’s godfather, confirmed him the ropes, after which Bustamante moved on to totally different window-washing corporations, the place he labored on taller buildings.
“He was actually good at it,” Vissey stated. “Some guys be taught however they’re not good at it as a result of they only don’t prefer it. However he truly appreciated it and he was good at it.”
Bustamante was washing home windows on Sunday on the Columbia College’s Faculty of Nursing on W. 168th St. close to Broadway when he plunged greater than 70 ft to his demise round 9:10 a.m., police stated.
“[Bustamante’s] brother Carlos known as my dad. He was crying,” Vissey recalled. “My dad stated, ‘What occurred? Why are you crying?’ He stated, ‘My brother, he fell.’ It was horrible. Horrible.”
Police initially stated Bustamante’s security harness had snapped. Vissey stated their household had heard it was the ropes that broke.
The state Labor Division, which took over the investigation, declined to remark when requested what brought about the autumn.
“We’re deeply saddened that on Sunday, October 19, a contracted vendor died in a tragic accident whereas engaged on the outside of an current constructing on the Columbia College Irving Medical Middle campus,” Columbia spokesman Adam Stephan wrote in a press release. “Our honest condolences are with the deceased’s household, associates, co-workers and neighborhood.”
Stephan added that each Columbia workers and the contracting firm are “absolutely cooperating” with authorities of their investigation.
“After we discovered, it was heartbreaking,” Vissey stated. “He was somebody I grew up with. He was somebody I’ve seen my entire life, so it’s horrible to listen to that information. He was superb. He would make everybody chortle. He was so type, so caring. Actually, very nice man.”
In Ecuador, Bustamante was an expert soccer participant, his cousin stated.
“He was actually good. He was nonetheless actually good,” Vissey stated. “He would play in a Sunday league, him and his associates.”
Bustamante, who lived in Kearny, N.J., leaves behind his spouse, younger daughter, mom, three sisters and three brothers, Vissey stated.
“His daughter doesn’t know in any respect. She doesn’t perceive,” he stated, noting she will be able to’t be greater than 3 years outdated.
“[His mother is] heartbroken, heartbroken. They all the time say that it’s the child who buries the dad and mom. However for the guardian to bury the child is a distinct kind of factor,” the cousin added.
An on-line fundraiser created by Jahir’s brother Carlos had raised greater than $23,000 as of Friday.
“With nice disappointment, we share the passing of my expensive brother, Jahir Bustamante, who in life was a beloved and tremendously appreciated individual by all who knew him,” the brother wrote in a press release. “His loss has left an immense wound in our hearts.”
With Rocco Parascandola
