Police in New Jersey say a Pennsylvania boy died after falling inside a Hindu temple.
The 16-year-old from Hatfield, Pennsylvania, was volunteering on a construction project at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir campus in Robbinsville just off Route 130 when he fell Thursday around 3:50 p.m., Robbinsville police spokesman Lt. Michael Polaski said.
The teen was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Hamilton, where he died an hour later.
According to Polaski, the victim fell about 45 feet. Polaski says the fall appears to be an accident, but it is still under investigation.
Police have not released the identity of the victim.
The temple with its intricate marble carvings and Indian design was dedicated in August 2014 and draws thousands of worshipers from around the world, police said.
A second temple remains under construction on the campus. A spokesperson said the worship site has been built completely by volunteers.
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BAPS called the incident a "tragic accident" and promised to work with Robbinsville Police.
"The entire BAPS family is heartbroken by the tragic accident that took the life of one of our young volunteers," the organization said in a prepared statement. "The prayers, condolences, and support of every BAPS family are with the family of this talented young man, whose loss will be felt by all those fortunate to have known him."
