Medical Examiner Rules 56-Year-Old's NYC Manhole Death Accidental as Truck Dislodged Cover 12 Minutes Earlier
Updated
Updated · NBC New York · May 20
Medical Examiner Rules 56-Year-Old's NYC Manhole Death Accidental as Truck Dislodged Cover 12 Minutes Earlier
11 articles · Updated · NBC New York · May 20
Donika Gocaj, 56, died in an accident after falling into a 10-foot uncovered manhole near East 52nd Street and Fifth Avenue shortly after midnight Tuesday, the city medical examiner ruled.
Scald burns, inhalational thermal injury and blunt-force chest trauma caused her death, indicating she was exposed to extreme heat after the fall.
Con Edison said surveillance video suggests a large multi-axle truck knocked the cover loose about 12 minutes before Gocaj parked outside the Cartier store and stepped into the opening.
The utility said such dislodgements are rare but can happen with heavy vehicles; a City Hall source said Con Edison had an open work permit on the block and is responsible for manhole covers.
City agencies and Con Edison are investigating the Midtown death, which has heightened public concern about street safety in New York.
A truck is blamed, but Con Edison had a work permit. Who is truly accountable for this fatal oversight?
This fatal fall was on Fifth Avenue. What hidden dangers lurk in the infrastructure beneath less-visible city streets?
Smart technology can monitor manholes in real-time. Why isn't New York City using it to prevent deaths?