A tragic incident occurred on Fifth Avenue in New York City, resulting in the death of a grandmother who fell down a manhole after stepping out of her car. The victim, identified as Donike Gocaj, aged 56, was found unconscious in the drain and later pronounced dead after being taken to the hospital by authorities.
Authorities confirmed that the woman had accidentally fallen approximately 10 feet while exiting her vehicle. The New York Police Department is conducting an investigation, stating that no foul play is suspected. Incidents involving open manholes are not uncommon in the city, often caused by displaced covers due to heavy vehicles.
A spokesperson from Con Edison, the utility company, mentioned that the victim had parked her car nearby just minutes before the tragic event. The company emphasized that although such occurrences are rare, safety remains their top priority, and they are looking into the incident.
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection has received over 700 service requests related to open manholes this year. Witnesses described the harrowing moment when the grandmother disappeared into the manhole, highlighting the lack of protective measures around the area.
The victim’s family expressed grief over her passing, noting that she leaves behind children and grandchildren. The incident took place near the Cartier store on West 52nd Street, with footage showing the proximity of the manhole to her parked car. Concerns were raised about the absence of warning signs or barriers around the manhole, which is a violation of city regulations.
Legal experts highlighted the importance of securely placing manhole covers to prevent such accidents, noting that such incidents, unfortunately, are not uncommon in New York City. The site has since been secured, and investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident.
