Vanished Just Seconds After Leaving Her Car... Tragedy of an Open Manhole in the Heart of Manhattan

Manhole Cover Dislodged by Large Truck Passing Over
Woman in Her 50s Found Dead Beneath Manhole
Victim Fell While Walking After Parking Her Car
NYPD: "No Evidence of Criminal Activity at This Time"

A tragic accident occurred in the bustling area of Manhattan, New York, when a woman in her 50s fell to her death into an open manhole.

According to local media including The New York Times on May 19 (local time), the accident took place the previous night at around 11:20 p.m. near East 52nd Street and Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. The victim was identified as 56-year-old Donike Gocaj, a resident of Briarcliff Manor in Westchester County.

A woman in her 50s fell to her death down an open manhole in the bustling Manhattan area of New York. CBS NEWS

According to police and local reports, Gocaj had parked her car by the roadside and was getting out when she fell into an open manhole. Rescue workers found her unconscious about 3 meters below inside the manhole and transported her to a nearby hospital, but she ultimately passed away. The accident site is located in the heart of Manhattan, an area filled with luxury shops, tourists, and pedestrians. The Associated Press reported that there were no warning signs or barriers around the opening at the time of the incident. A witness stated that Gocaj walked a few steps after closing her car door and suddenly fell below, adding that she was not distracted or looking at her phone.

Consolidated Edison, the utility company responsible for the facility, stated that after reviewing nearby CCTV footage taken just before the accident, it appeared that a multi-axle truck passed through the intersection about 12 minutes before Gocaj arrived and pushed the manhole cover aside. Some local media reported that the manhole cover was found about 15 feet away from the opening. Consolidated Edison explained that a large truck made a left turn and drove over the manhole about 10 to 15 minutes before the accident, which likely caused the cover to be dislodged. A company representative said, "It is rare, but the manhole cover can be dislodged by heavy vehicles passing over it. We offer our deepest condolences to the bereaved family."

The New York Police Department has stated that there is no evidence of criminal activity at this time. However, the exact cause of death will be determined by the New York City medical examiner. Some local broadcasters reported the possibility of cardiac arrest due to steam exposure, but this has not been officially confirmed.

In New York, accidents related to manholes have been recurring. Photo by ABC NEWS

Manhole-related accidents have been recurring in New York. In 2019, a man who fell into an open manhole near Columbus Circle was found dead about two weeks later. In April 2022, a power cable failure near Times Square led to a manhole explosion and fire, causing pedestrians and tourists to evacuate. At the time, Consolidated Edison reported that an explosion occurred in one manhole and smoke was seen coming from others, but no injuries were reported.

Manhole accidents can involve more than just falls. Open manholes can be several meters deep, leading to head or spinal injuries. In spaces where electric power, telecommunications, or steam pipes run, there are also risks of electrocution, exposure to toxic gases, high-temperature steam, and oxygen deficiency. The Guardian, citing a 2022 study, reported that there are an average of 20 to 49 manhole-related accidents annually across the United States, with about 1% resulting in fatalities.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.