Woman Dies After Falling Into Open Maintenance Hole in Midtown Manhattan

A 56-year-old woman has died after falling into an open maintenance hole on a busy street in Midtown Manhattan, New York City.

The victim, identified by police as Donike Gocaj of Briarcliff Manor, a New York suburb, parked her vehicle near the corner of Fifth Avenue and East 52nd Street shortly before 11:30 p.m. on Monday. According to authorities, she exited her SUV and fell into the open shaft moments later. Firefighters extracted her from the hole, but she was pronounced dead after being transported to a local hospital.

Con Edison, the local utility company, stated that surveillance footage indicates the heavy metal cover was dislodged by a multi-axle truck driving over it approximately 12 minutes before Gocaj fell.

"We are reviewing the details, and while this is a rare occurrence, manhole covers can get displaced by heavy vehicles," a Con Edison spokesperson said in a statement. "Our thoughts remain with her family, and safety remains our top priority."

The incident occurred in a high-end shopping district in Midtown Manhattan, a few blocks from Trump Tower.

The city's chief medical examiner's office is conducting an investigation to determine the exact cause of death. Euronews has reached out to their office and is awaiting further comment.