A tragic incident took place in New York City, USA, when a 56-year-old woman stepped down from a vehicle and fell into an uncovered manhole on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, resulting in her death.
New York City police reported that officers received an emergency call shortly before midnight on Monday. Upon arrival at the scene, they found the woman unconscious inside an underground cavity approximately 3 meters deep.
The deceased was identified as Donige Gojai, 56, from Briarcliff Manor, New York. She was transported to a local hospital, where doctors later declared her dead.
Con Edison, New York City's utility company, stated that surveillance footage suggests the manhole cover may have been dislodged by the impact of a truck.
The company said that about 12 minutes after the cover came loose, the woman parked her car near the spot and, upon stepping out, fell into the underground cavity without noticing the hazard.
A company spokesperson said that although such incidents are rare, manhole covers can be displaced by the weight of large vehicles. They confirmed that a full investigation is underway and expressed condolences to the victim’s family.
The victim’s family told local media they do not understand how such an incident could happen. The daughter-in-law stated that there were no traffic cones, warning signs, or barriers at the location to alert pedestrians to the danger.
Police are currently investigating the incident but have found no initial evidence of criminal conduct. The medical examiner’s office will officially determine the cause of death.
Reports indicate that open manhole covers are a frequent problem in New York City. The New York City Department of Environmental Protection manages the city’s water and drainage systems, overseeing thousands of kilometers of sewer lines and approximately 100,000 manhole covers across the city.
Meanwhile, The New York Times reported that since the beginning of the year, there have been over 700 complaints about open manhole covers throughout New York City.
Source:BBC
Click to read more news aboutInternational News