Police are investigating the death of a woman who fell down a manhole on a Midtown street late on Monday night in an apparently freak accident.
Photo via Getty Images
Police are investigating the death of a woman who fell down a manhole on a Midtown street late on Monday night in an apparently freak accident.
Officers from the Midtown North Precinct and firefighters were called to the corner of 52nd Street and 5th Avenue at 11:19 p.m. on May 18 after receiving a 911 call about the incident.
When they arrived, police sources said, they discovered a 56-year-old woman inside an uncovered manhole. ABC7 reported that she had parked her car moments later when she suddenly took the plunge through the hole, which is believed to belong to Con Edison. The energy company believes a truck may have dislodged the manhole moments before.
Emergency services officers were able to extract the woman moments later, but she was found to be unconscious and unresponsive.
EMS rushed her to Weill Cornell Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. Police have not yet released her identity, pending family notification.
While it is unclear exactly how she fell into the manhole, sources familiar with the case said it is believed to be a tragic accident. No criminality is suspected.
The Chief Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death.
In a statement to ABC7, Con Edison expressed condolences to the victim’s family and said it is investigating how the manhole had been left uncovered.
With reporting by Robert Pozarycki
