Midtown Manhattan death of Donike Gocaj highlights rising concerns over increasing complaints about open manholes.
New York City officials are taking action in response to increasing complaints regarding defective or missing manhole covers, a serious issue that has gained heightened attention following the tragic death of 56-year-old Donike Gocaj. Reports indicate that the city has received 717 complaints related to “missing” or “defective” manhole covers this year alone, a significant rise from 381 complaints during the same period last year. This alarming trend has sparked concern among residents and city authorities alike, as officials conduct an investigation into the matter.
According to the city’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which oversees many of the city’s manhole covers, they are currently assessing the complaints received through the 311 reporting system. The office of the Mayor and Con Edison, the utility company responsible for the electrical infrastructure, have yet to provide further commentary on the issue.
The tragic incident involving Gocaj occurred on May 18, 2026, when she stepped into an open manhole shortly after parking her vehicle on East 52nd Street, at the intersection with Fifth Avenue. Witnesses report that Gocaj fell approximately 10 feet, leading to severe injuries. An autopsy later revealed that her death resulted from a combination of scald burns and blunt force trauma. The circumstances surrounding her fall have raised concerns about public safety related to the condition of manhole covers in the area.
Investigations suggest that the manhole cover in question may have been dislodged by a heavy truck turning onto 52nd Street. Con Edison has clarified that they are reviewing video evidence and confirmed that the cover was displaced shortly before the incident occurred. In a public statement, a spokesperson for Con Edison remarked on the rarity of such occurrences, yet acknowledged that heavy vehicles can displace manhole covers.
Since the beginning of the year, four complaints concerning defective manhole covers have been
