Cause of death revealed for woman who died falling into open manhole in Midtown Manhattan
New York Daily News • • nation
Key Points:
- Donike Gocaj, 56, died after falling approximately 10 feet into an open manhole in Midtown Manhattan, with her death caused by a combination of intense heat inside the manhole, scald burns, inhalational thermal injury, and blunt force trauma.
- The manhole cover was likely dislodged by a heavy multi-axle truck turning onto 52nd Street, according to Con Edison, which is investigating the incident.
- Gocaj had just parked her car near the manhole around 11:20 p.m. before stepping into the uncovered hole, and despite efforts by bystanders and emergency responders, she succumbed to her injuries at Cornell Weill Medical Center.
- The open manhole, located outside the Cartier store in a busy area, raised concerns about safety protocols, with witnesses noting that manholes are typically guarded or marked to prevent such accidents.
- Con Edison has covered the manhole and continues to investigate how it was left open and unprotected, while friends and neighbors mourn Gocaj, who worked for United Building Maintenance.