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Woman dies after falling into New York manhole

Wednesday, 20 May 2026 10:55

A woman has died after falling into a manhole in New York. 

Donika Gocaj died after stepping into the 10ft (3m) hole outside the Cartier store on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. She was 56.

The manhole was steaming when the woman fell, authorities said.

Police officers found Ms Gocal unconscious and unresponsive. She was taken to hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Con Edison, the utility company that owned the manhole, said in a statement that video footage showed the hole cover was dislodged after a multi-axle truck drove over it.

Just 12 minutes later, Ms Gocaj parked her car nearby and walked over the manhole.

"While this is a rare occurrence, manhole covers can get displaced by heavy vehicles," the company said.

"Our thoughts remain with her family, and safety remains our top priority."

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Eyewitness Carlton Wood said it looked like she "vanished".

He told Sky News' US partner NBC News: "I saw this lady get out of her black SUV, and I saw her get out, close the door, and she took a step forward, and it was like she vanished.

"She was screaming, 'I'm dying, I'm dying'.

"It could have happened to anybody, it wasn't about situational awareness."

In a statement, the office of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said city agencies are working with the utility to support the emergency response and conduct a full investigation.

"Every question must be asked and answered so that no New Yorker experiences a tragedy like this again," the mayor's office said.

Sky News

(c) Sky News 2026: Woman dies after falling into New York manhole

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