Photo: Chris Hondros / Getty Images News / Getty Images
A tragic accident in Midtown Manhattan claimed the life of 56-year-old Donike Gocaj on Monday night. The Briarcliff mother and grandmother fell into an open manhole at 52nd Street and Fifth Avenue after parking her car. According to ABC7NY, Con Edison has reviewed video footage and determined that a multi-axle truck dislodged the manhole cover when it drove over it.
Gocaj fell approximately 10 feet into the manhole, which was steaming at the time, causing her to go into cardiac arrest. She was quickly transported to New York Presbyterian Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. A witness at the scene, Carlton Wood, reported seeing Gocaj step out of her car and disappear into the manhole. "She was screaming, 'I'm dying,'" Wood told Eyewitness News.
The incident has raised concerns about public safety and the maintenance of manhole covers. Con Edison, the utility company responsible for the manhole, expressed deep sadness and stated that such occurrences are rare. They are continuing to investigate the incident to prevent similar tragedies in the future. According to NBC Washington, City Hall confirmed that Con Edison had an open permit to conduct work on the block at the time of the accident.
Mayor Mamdani has issued a statement expressing condolences to Gocaj's family and affirming that city agencies will collaborate with Con Edison to ensure that such an incident does not happen again. The mayor emphasized that every question must be asked and answered to prevent future tragedies.
The community and Gocaj's family are demanding answers and accountability for the incident. As the investigation continues, New Yorkers are left grappling with a new fear regarding the safety of manhole covers in the city.
Photo Credit: Getty Images