A 56-year-old woman died after falling into an open manhole in Midtown Manhattan on Monday night, in a tragic incident that has raised serious questions about public safety in New York City.
The incident occurred around 11:30 p.m. near Fifth Avenue and 52nd Street, outside the luxury Cartier jewellery store. The victim, identified as Donnike Gochaj, a Westchester County resident whose son had recently been married, reportedly stepped out of her Mercedes-Benz SUV and walked just a few steps before disappearing into the open
manhole.
Witness Carlton Wood, who was on his way to work, described the horrifying moment. He said the woman did not appear to stumble or notice anything unusual before she suddenly fell through the open street opening.
“She came out of the car, took a few steps, and just vanished,” he said, adding that the manhole appeared to be about 10 to 15 feet deep.
Moments after the fall, the woman could be heard screaming from below. Wood immediately called 911. According to him, she repeatedly shouted, “I’m dying, I’m dying,” as bystanders rushed to the scene. One passerby even entered the manhole in an attempt to help her, while another brought a ladder, which was too short to reach her.
Emergency responders from the FDNY and EMS arrived within minutes and launched a rescue operation. After about 20 minutes, they were able to pull the woman out of the hole. Witnesses said rescuers appeared visibly shaken, and described extremely hot conditions inside the manhole, with one suggesting there may have been scalding water or steam below.
The victim was rushed to NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, where she was later pronounced dead. The medical examiner will determine the official cause of death.
The manhole is reportedly owned by Consolidated Edison (Con Edison). A witness said the manhole cover was found nearby, but there were no barriers, warning signs, or safety precautions around the opening at the time of the incident.
In a statement, Con Edison expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and said it is investigating how the incident occurred. The company said safety remains its highest priority.
As the investigation continues, the incident has sparked outrage and renewed concern over infrastructure safety in one of the world’s busiest cities.
