A 56-year-old woman died after falling into an uncovered manhole in Midtown Manhattan late Monday night, May 18, after stepping out of her parked vehicle, according to the New York Police Department.
The incident happened around 11:19 p.m. ET near West 52nd Street and Fifth Avenue, outside the Cartier store at 653 Fifth Ave., police said.
The woman had just parked her Mercedes-Benz SUV when she stepped out and fell about 10 feet directly into the open manhole, according to ABC 7 New York. Officers responding to the scene found her unconscious and unresponsive inside the hole.
She was transported to New York Presbyterian Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the official cause of death, police said. No arrests have been made, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Relatives of the deceased woman identified her as Donike Gocaj of Briarcliff Manor, a village in New York City, ABC 7 New York reported.
Family questions lack of warnings
According to CBS News New York, the deceased woman’s relatives were seen hugging and consoling one another near the scene of the incident on Tuesday morning, May 19.
Family members described Gocaj as a loving mother of two and grandmother of two grandchildren, per ABC 7 New York.
Her daughter-in-law told CBS News New York there were no cones, barriers or warning signs around the open manhole at the time of the incident. The relative, described by the outlet as visibly shaken, said the tragedy was still “so fresh” for the family.
Video from the scene, published by Fox 5 New York, appeared to show the manhole just feet from the driver’s side door of the Mercedes SUV. By Tuesday morning, the opening had been covered and cordoned off.
Con Edison investigating
The manhole belongs to Con Edison, which said it is investigating how the cover was left off.
No construction was ongoing, ABC 7 New York reported, adding that the manhole cover was later found about 15 feet away from the opening.
“We are deeply saddened to confirm that a member of the public has died after falling into an open manhole,” Con Edison said in a statement, per the outlet. “We are actively investigating how this occurred. Our thoughts are with the individual’s family, and safety remains our top priority.”
USA TODAY contacted Con Edison for additional comments.
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com or on Twitter @athompsonUSAT
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Woman killed after falling into uncovered New York City manhole