A 56-year-old woman died after falling roughly 10 feet into an open Con Edison manhole in Midtown on Monday night. Police said she parked near Fifth Avenue and East 52nd Street, got out, and fell into the opening. Officers responded around 11:15 p.m. and found her unconscious. First responders took her to NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. Investigators were still determining why the manhole was uncovered, noting no construction at the intersection and that the cover was found about 15 feet away. Con Edison said video suggested a multi-axle truck turning onto 52nd Street drove over the manhole and dislodged the cover, and that the incident was rare. Medical examiners will determine the cause of death.
"Police said Donike Gocaj, 56, appeared to have parked her car near the corner of Fifth Avenue and East 52nd Street, got out and plummeted down the manhole. Officers were called to the scene around 11:15 p.m. and found her unconscious, according to officials. First responders took the woman to NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead, police said."
"Officials said they were still investigating why the manhole was uncovered. They said no construction was happening at the intersection at the time, and the manhole cover was discovered about 15 feet away from the opening. A Con Ed spokesperson said video footage suggested a "multi-axle truck" turning onto 52nd Street had driven over the manhole, causing it to become dislodged."
"About 12 minutes later, the woman parked her car nearby, the spokesperson said. The spokesperson said the incident was a "rare occurrence" and that manhole covers can get displaced by heavy vehicles. City medical examiners will determine the woman's cause of death, according to police."
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