A 56-year-old grandmother, Donike Gocaj, tragically lost her life after falling into a dislodged manhole in Manhattan late on Monday night. Eyewitnesses reported hearing her scream 'I'm dying' as she stepped out of her Mercedes-Benz SUV near the intersection of Fifth Avenue and 52nd Street.
Incident Details
The utility company Con Edison, which operates the manhole, stated that a heavy multi-axle truck likely dislodged the cover approximately 12 minutes before the incident occurred. First responders took about 20 minutes to retrieve her from the manhole, where she was reportedly found in a 'puddle of water'.
Investigation Underway
The New York City Mayor's Office has called for a full investigation into the tragedy to ensure that such an incident does not happen again. Officials are examining the circumstances surrounding the dislodged manhole cover and the response time of emergency services.
Donike Gocaj was described by family members as a devoted grandmother and a beloved member of the community. Her sudden and tragic death has sparked outrage and calls for improved safety measures regarding manhole covers in the city.
Con Edison has expressed its condolences to the family and pledged full cooperation with the investigation. The company also stated that it would review its maintenance protocols to prevent future accidents.
