A Florida man who was an independent contractor working on renovations in the IMAX theater in downtown Reading fell to his death from a height of several stories, officials said Wednesday.

Robert R. Franklin, 71, of Celebration was working above the ceiling in the R/C Reading Movies 11 & IMAX, 30 N. Second St., when he fell through a drop ceiling, falling about 50 feet, Berks County Coroner Matthew J. Stitzel said.

Emergency crews were called shortly after 11:30 a.m.

Coroner’s office personnel pronounced Franklin dead at 11:57 a.m., Stitzel said.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration was notified and responded to the theater, Stitzel said.

An autopsy is scheduled to be conducted Thursday by Dr. Neil Hoffman, a forensic pathologist, in Reading Hospital.

City police and city fire personnel assisted at the scene.