An acclaimed drummer for several popular indie acts has died after falling five stories down an elevator shaft.

Jerry Fuchs, the drummer for !!! (pronounced 'chk chk chk') and other acts died after attending a fundraising party in Williamsburg, the New York Post reported.

The 34-year-old was in a freight elevator with a friend that broke down "somewhere above the fifth floor," Buildings Department spokesman Tony Sclafani told the NYP.

Fuchs and his friend attempted to jump a three-to-four-foot gap separating the elevator from the fifth floor. His friend made it, but when Fuchs attempted the jump a piece of his clothing reportedly got caught.

He fell down the shaft and was rushed to hospital, where he died at 3.30am.

Police told the Associated Press there was no suspected criminal element to the incident.

Fuchs was also a member of the band Maserati.