NYC manhole death prompts utility review after cover dislodged by truck
Con Edison confirms maintenance hole cover was likely displaced by heavy vehicle minutes before woman fell; family cites lack of safety barriers
Donike Gocaj, 56, died after falling into an uncovered maintenance hole on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, New York City, police confirmed. Officers responded to an emergency call just before midnight on Monday and found Gocaj unconscious at the bottom of the 10-foot (three-metre) hole. She was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead.
The utility company Con Edison stated that, following a review of video footage, they believe the manhole cover was dislodged by a truck approximately 12 minutes before Gocaj parked her car nearby. A spokesperson for the utility company noted that while such displacement is a rare occurrence, heavy vehicles can dislodge covers. Con Edison confirmed the absence of safety barriers at the site.
Gocaj’s family told CBS that there were no cones, warning signs, or barriers around the maintenance hole at the time of the incident. Her daughter-in-law described the family as shaken and trying to understand how the tragedy occurred. Police identified Gocaj as a resident of Briarcliff Manor, New York.
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection manages approximately 100,000 active manholes in the city as part of its responsibility for water supply and wastewater infrastructure. According to the New York Times, the department has received more than 700 service requests regarding open manholes so far this year.
Police are investigating the incident but do not suspect criminal activity. The official cause of death will be determined by the city medical examiner’s office.
