Elderly woman strangled by clothes caught in escalator

(AP/CBS) LINDENHURST, N.Y. - A preliminary investigation into the death of a woman who fell on an escalator at a Long Island Rail Road station reveals that she died after her clothes got entangled in the escalator's treads and she was asphyxiated.

The LIRR released a statement Wednesday saying the escalator, which remains out of service, was last inspected in February. LIRR says the escalator is inspected monthly and is maintained in good operating condition.

The woman, 88-year-old Irene Bernatzky, of Lindenhurst, died on Tuesday after falling on the escalator at the rail station in Lindenhurst.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police is conducting the investigation.

Flowers and burning candles now mark the blocked escalator entrance at the station where Bernatzky, was killed