A woman has died after falling into an open manhole in Manhattan in a tragic accident. According to the NYPD, the incident occurred after the victim, Donike Gokaj, parked her Mercedes vehicle and stepped out directly onto an uncovered manhole, falling nearly 10 feet below ground level.
Eyewitness News reported that the accident took place around 11:20 p.m. on Monday in Midtown Manhattan, between West 52nd Street and Fifth Avenue.
On Tuesday, the victim’s family confirmed her identity. Donike Gokaj, 56, was a resident of Briarcliff Manor, a suburb in Westchester County. The New York City Police Department (NYPD) also confirmed her death.
Police said Gokaj was found unconscious and was rushed to New York-Presbyterian Hospital, where doctors later pronounced her dead.
Following the incident, the victim’s family raised concerns over unsafe road conditions and negligence related to the uncovered manhole.
Investigators stated that no construction work was taking place near the site at the time of the accident. The manhole cover was reportedly found about 15 feet away from the opening. Authorities are currently investigating how the hazardous situation occurred.
