Son of famed NYC restaurant owner dies in freak accident at Madison Square Garden

The son of a famed New York City restaurant owner has died in a freak accident at Madison Square Garden after he reportedly plunged down three floors while riding an escalator railing.

Ernest Vogliano, 61, fell to his death inside the arena following a Rangers game at around 10.40pm on Saturday, sources told the New York Post. 

Emergency personnel responded to a 911 call and the father-of-two was rushed to Bellevue Hospital where he was pronounced dead. 

Vogliano, the son of the late Ernest Vogliano Sr who owned the famed NYC restaurant Il Vagabondo whose patrons included Tom Hanks and Cindy Crawford, died from blunt force trauma, an autopsy showed. His death has been ruled accidental. 

It is not clear how Vogliano fell from the escalator, and his widow, Lesa, has hired an attorney to understand what happened as she claims she has been not been told any details. 

Ernest Vogliano, 61, (pictured with his wife and children) was riding an escalator railing inside the arena following a Rangers game when he plunged to his death at around 10.40pm on Saturday, sources said 

Emergency personnel responded to a 911 call and the father-of-two was rushed to Bellevue Hospital where he was pronounced dead

It is not clear how Vogliano fell from the escalator, and his widow, Lesa, has hired an attorney to understand what happened as she claims she has been not been told any details. Pictured: Madison Square Garden in New York 

‘We have no idea what happened, but they do,’ family attorney Fred Eisenberg told the Post, referring to staff at Madison Square Garden. ‘We have to review the evidence.

Vogliano’s late father, Ernest Sr., a famed NYC restaurant owner 

‘We know that he was there and we know that he died. We’d like to find out how.’

Eisenberg on Wednesday demanded Madison Square Garden officials preserve all evidence relevant to Vogliano’s death, including surveillance video footage, until it can be reviewed. 

A representative for MSG said on Wednesday that Vogliano’s death is a ‘tragic accident’. 

‘A fan at this Saturday’s Rangers game was injured in a tragic accident while he was exiting the venue and was immediately transported to a local hospital where he passed away,’ MSG said. ‘Our deepest and heartfelt condolences go out to his loved ones.’

Vogliano’s late father, Ernest Sr., owned the famous Upper East Side Italian restaurant Il Vagabondo. The popular eatery saw the likes of Tom Hanks and Cindy Crawford walk through its doors before it shut in 2019.

Vogliano is survived by his mother; siblings Robert, Jennifer, and Marie; children Blaze and Summer and his wife, Lesa.

Vogliano’s late father, Ernest Sr., owned the famous Upper East Side Italian restaurant Il Vagabondo (pictured). The popular eatery saw the likes of Tom Hanks and Cindy Crawford walk through its doors before it shut in 2019