A tragic incident occurred in New York City when a grandmother lost her life after stepping into an uncovered manhole on the bustling Fifth Avenue. The New York Police Department responded to an emergency call shortly before midnight on Monday, discovering the woman unconscious and unresponsive inside the drain. She was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
Victim Identified
The victim has been identified as 56-year-old Donike Gocaj from Briarcliff Manor. She had just parked her Mercedes-Benz SUV near West 52nd Street, outside the iconic Cartier store, when she exited her vehicle and fell approximately 10 feet into the utility hole.
Witness Account
Witness Carlton Wood recounted the harrowing event, stating, "She closed the door behind her, and one step forward, I guess in the direction she was trying to go, and she just disappeared." He added that the hole was significantly deep, and despite a short ladder being brought, it was insufficient. "She was screaming she was dying," Wood said, emphasising that there were no protective barriers around the hole.
Investigation Ongoing
Police have confirmed an ongoing investigation but stated that no criminal activity is suspected at this time. Open manholes are a recurring issue in the city, with numerous accidents reported each year. Con Edison, the utility company, believes the cover was dislodged by a heavy vehicle. A spokesperson remarked, "Approximately 12 minutes later, the person involved in the incident parked her car nearby... We are reviewing the details, and while this is a rare occurrence, manhole covers can get displaced by heavy vehicles."
Safety Concerns
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection has received over 700 service requests regarding open manholes so far this year, according to the New York Times. The victim's family expressed grief, noting that she leaves behind a son, a daughter, and two grandchildren. Her daughter-in-law criticised the lack of warning signs, cones, or barriers around the manhole, which contravenes city regulations. Attorney Christopher Gorayeb commented, "Unfortunately, this is an accident that isn't all that rare in the city of New York."
By Tuesday morning, the manhole opening had been covered and cordoned off. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by infrastructure neglect in urban environments.
