A woman fell to her death in New York City after she accidentally stepped into an open manhole, authorities said Tuesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 56-year-old woman, Donika Gocaj, had parked her car in midtown Manhattan when she walked into the manhole late Monday, a police official said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The hole, which was about 10 feet deep, was near the Cartier store on Fifth Avenue. Authorities said it was steaming at the time the woman fell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Officers found the woman unconscious and unresponsive, the police department said. She was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The manhole belongs to Con Edison, a local utility company. In a statement, the company said video showed the hole cover was dislodged after a multi-axle truck drove over it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Twelve minutes later, the company said, the woman parked her car nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhile this is a rare occurrence, manhole covers can get displaced by heavy vehicles,\u201d the company said. \u201cOur thoughts remain with her family, and safety remains our top priority.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEvery question must be asked and answered so that no New Yorker experiences a tragedy like this again,\u201d the mayor\u2019s office said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n