MASSENA – A Russian man died on the St. Lawrence Seaway at the Snell Lock early Thursday morning following a 10-foot fall from a flight of stairs aboard a Liberian vessel, the MCT Altair.

Sergey N. Menzhiliy, the ships chief engineer, reportedly fell from that stairs around 12:35 p.m. while returning to the engine control room.

Medical personnel on the vessel attempted life saving measures but were unsuccessful, troopers said.

St. Lawrence County Coroner Jamie Sienkiewicyz responded and pronounced Menzhiliy deceased.

An autopsy, conducted at Massena Memorial Hospital on Dec. 12, revealed that Menzhiliy died due to a pre-existing medical condition, officers said.

State police said they were assisted on the scene by the United States Coast Guard and the Massena Rescue Squad.