Donike Gocaj Manhole Fall Death in New York City
Donike Gocaj, a 56-year-old grandmother, died on May 18, 2026, after falling into an uncovered manhole in Midtown Manhattan while on her way to an overnight cleaning shift. As of May 19, 2026, an autopsy revealed Gocaj died from "scald burns with inhalational thermal injury and blunt force trauma of the torso." Preliminary surveillance footage suggests a multi-axle truck dislodged the manhole cover approximately 12 minutes before Gocaj fell into the 10-foot-deep opening. Bystanders and first responders attempted to rescue her, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
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An autopsy revealed Donike Gocaj died from "scald burns with inhalational thermal injury and blunt force trauma of the torso" after falling into an uncovered manhole.
An autopsy revealed Donike Gocaj died from "scald burns with inhalational thermal injury and blunt force trauma of the torso" after falling into an uncovered manhole. Preliminary surveillance footage suggests a multi-axle truck dislodged the manhole cover approximately 12 minutes before Gocaj fell into the 10-foot-deep opening.
Donike Gocaj, a 56-year-old grandmother, died after falling into an uncovered manhole in Midtown Manhattan.
Donike Gocaj, a 56-year-old grandmother, died after falling into an uncovered manhole in Midtown Manhattan. The incident occurred around 11:20 p.m. as she was on her way to her overnight cleaning shift. Bystanders and first responders attempted to rescue her from the manhole, but she was pronounced dead after being pulled out. The exact cause of the manhole being uncovered and the subsequent investigation are pending.