Woman Dies After Stepping Into Open Manhole in Midtown Manhattan

A 56-year-old woman died after falling into an open manhole on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan late Monday, authorities said Tuesday. The woman, identified as Donika Gocaj, had parked her car nearby when she stepped into the hole, which was about 10 feet deep and located near the Cartier store.

Officers found her unconscious and unresponsive. She was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead. The manhole belongs to Con Edison. The company said video showed the cover was dislodged after a multi-axle truck drove over it. Twelve minutes later, the woman parked her car nearby.

The office of New York City

Mayor Zohran Mamdani said city agencies are working with the utility to support the emergency response and conduct a full investigation. “Every question must be asked and answered so that no New Yorker experiences a tragedy like this again,” the mayor’s office said.

Con Edison stated that manhole covers can occasionally be displaced by heavy vehicles and expressed condolences to the woman’s family.