Boston University professor dies after falling through rusted staircase

A 40-year-old Boston University professor out for a run fell 20 feet through a rusted staircase near a train stop and died, according to officials.

David K. Jones, an associate professor in the BU School of Public Health’s department of Health Law, Policy and Management, was jogging in Dorchester Saturday when he seemingly ran over a closed staircase near the JFK/UMass Red Line T station, according to state police.

After being deemed unsafe more than 20 months ago, both the upper and lower entrances to the staircase had been blocked off, State Police spokesman David Procopio told the Boston Globe Monday.

Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins vowed to investigate how Jones got access to the staircase.

David Jones
David Jones (Facebook)

“He was the most loving, kind, considerate person I knew. He was the best father. He loved to dance to Phish, be outdoors, and run. He loved unconditionally and was the proudest father to his kids. I loved him,” his widow, Sarah Sacuto, wrote on Facebook.

“This is likely the hardest thing we will go through as a family. Please take a minute and remember him to us- as we must go on carrying the light he gave us. We will draw strength from your memories as we travel through the darkest of times.”

A GoFundMe set up for Jones’ family has raised more than $95,000 as of Tuesday morning.

Jones is survived by his wife, Sarah, and their three children, Olivia, Anne and Thomas.

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