Members of the NYPD’s Emergency Services jumped into action to rescue a construction worker who fell 30 feet down a manhole in upper Manhattan, startling video released Friday shows.
The 35-year-old hardhat was working at the Bard-Haven Towers on Haven Ave. near W. 170th St. in Washington Heights when he fell into the open manhole around 8:45 a.m. on Nov. 20.
One unexpected drop. One expert rescue.
When a construction worker fell through a manhole cover, @NYPDSpecialops ESU secured the scene, worked with @FDNY to safely reach him, and get them medical care. pic.twitter.com/3Gfr3z4WNV
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) November 28, 2025
Bodycam footage released by the NYPD shows Emergency Service Unit officers set up a temporary tripod frame and a winch.
They then lowered an officer down into the darkened hole to find the construction worker on the ground below. Rungs on the side of the underground tunnel had rotted away near the bottom, making it difficult to climb down, someone said on the video.
ESU officers lowered down an FDNY firefighter and then a backboard before hoisting the injured construction worker back up.
“You’re good…he’s good,” an officer can be heard saying as the worker was handed off to city emergency medical technicians and paramedics.
EMS rushed him to New York Presbyterian/ Columbia University Irving Medical Center where he was treated and released.
“One unexpected drop. One expert rescue,” the NYPD posted on X with the bodycam footage. “When a construction worker fell through a manhole cover, @NYPDSpecialops ESU secured the scene, worked with @FDNY to safely reach him, and get them medical care.”