Grandmother dies after falling into uncovered Manhattan manhole near Fifth Avenue
A late-night tragedy in Midtown Manhattan is under investigation after a grandmother died following a fall into an uncovered utility hole near one of the city’s busiest shopping corridors.
Donike Gocaj, 56, of Briarcliff Manor in Westchester County, was critically injured after falling roughly 10 to 15 feet into the open manhole near East 52nd Street and Fifth Avenue at about 11:20 p.m. Monday.
According to reports, Gocaj had parked her Mercedes-Benz SUV near the area’s luxury storefronts, including Cartier, when the incident occurred. Emergency crews found her unconscious and transported her to NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, where she later died.
Police said Gocaj was alone at the time of the fall, and authorities have confirmed that no arrests have been made as investigators continue examining the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Witnesses describe frantic rescue efforts
People nearby rushed to help moments after Gocaj disappeared into the opening.
Eyewitness Carl Wood told the New York Post that he heard the victim crying out repeatedly that she was dying as bystanders attempted to reach her from above.
“One guy actually sat down on top of the hole and they tried to lower him into the hole,” Wood recalled, describing efforts to help Gocaj grab onto the rescuer’s legs.
Others searched for anything that could be used to pull her out. One person reportedly brought a ladder, but it was not long enough to reach the trapped woman.
Wood said emergency medical personnel arrived quickly, followed shortly afterward by firefighters. According to his account, Gocaj’s voice could no longer be heard by the time additional responders reached the scene.
She was removed from the utility hole less than half an hour later, according to witness accounts.
Questions remain over uncovered manhole
Investigators have not publicly explained why the manhole was open.
Con Edison, which maintains the utility structure, said it is reviewing the incident. Company spokesperson Allan Drury offered condolences to Gocaj’s family and stated that safety remains the utility provider’s highest priority.
In a separate statement, Con Edison said video footage from the area suggests a multi-axle truck turning onto 52nd Street from Fifth Avenue may have knocked the cover out of place roughly 12 minutes before the fatal fall.
The utility company noted that heavy vehicles can occasionally dislodge manhole covers, though it described such incidents as uncommon.
Witnesses said the cover was found near the opening and claimed there were no cones, warning signs, or barricades around the hole.
Some who observed the aftermath also raised concerns about conditions underground. Wood told the Post that the space appeared extremely hot, noting that firefighters descended wearing protective masks and emerged sweating heavily.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has opened an investigation into Gocaj’s death.
The devastating incident has also renewed attention on New York’s history of hazardous uncovered manholes, an issue that has surfaced in previous fatal cases across the city.
