A college student from New Jersey fell to his death after scaling the facade of the famed Four Seasons hotel late Wednesday, police and family members said.

Connor Cummings, a 24-year-old from Rockaway, fell while climbing scaffolding at the 52-story hotel at about 11 p.m., according to police and family.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst student lost his footing while climbing back into an interior shaft and fell about nine stories, landing on a catwalk below.

Police and emergency workers were called to the scene, and the student was pronounced dead.

Police said the fall appears to have been accidental and that he was attempting to take photos of the Manhattan skyline. They say he apparently was not a guest at the hotel.



The Four Seasons said in a statement it was saddened by Cummings' death and was cooperating with authorities.



"The safety and security of our guests, patrons and employees is a top priority for us," the statement said. "Our thoughts are with the family of the deceased and we extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to them."

UMass Amherst also issued a statement in the wake of Cummings' death.

"Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Connor Cummings, a UMass Amherst student who died tragically in New York. Connor was a sophomore psychology major and a member of Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity, Gamma chapter."