NEW YORK, NY – A tragic midnight accident in Midtown Manhattan has claimed the life of a 56-year-old woman, sparking widespread safety concerns and a full-scale city investigation.
The Fatal Incident
The victim, identified by police as Donika Gocaj, was parking her car just before midnight Tuesday on 52nd Street, directly in front of the Cartier store on Fifth Avenue. As she closed her car door to exit the vehicle, she stepped into an unsealed, steaming manhole.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene and extracted Gocaj from the 10-foot-deep hole. She was transported to a local hospital, where she was tragically pronounced dead. The medical examiner’s office is currently working to confirm the official cause of death.
Truck Dislodged The Cover, Con Ed Says
Con Edison launched an immediate investigation into why the manhole was left open. According to surveillance video reviewed by the utility company, a heavy multi-axle truck turning onto 52nd Street from 5th Avenue drove over the cover, dislodging it.
Gocaj parked her car near the open hole just 12 minutes later.
“While this is a rare occurrence, manhole covers can get displaced by heavy vehicles,” Con Edison stated, adding that they are thoroughly reviewing the details of the incident.
City Hall Demands Accountability
A City Hall source revealed that Con Edison held an active permit to conduct work on that specific block at the time of the incident. In New York City, utility companies are legally responsible for the maintenance and safety of their manhole coverings.
A City Hall spokesperson confirmed that multiple municipal agencies are now working alongside Con Ed to investigate the lapse. “Every question must be asked and answered so that no New Yorker experiences a tragedy like this again,” the statement read.
Rising Public Fear
The incident has unlocked a new fear for residents and tourists navigating the busy streets of Manhattan. According to city 311 data, New York received 62 missing manhole complaints between May 1 and May 17 alone, though none were linked to this specific Midtown location.
The street has since been reopened to traffic, and the manhole has been securely re-sealed.
