Donike Gocaj Manhole Fall Death in New York City
The family of Donike Gocaj, a 56-year-old grandmother who died after falling into an uncovered manhole in Midtown Manhattan on May 18, 2026, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Con Edison on July 24, 2026. As of July 24, 2026, Con Edison is investigating the incident, and the lawsuit alleges the company failed to secure the manhole cover or warn pedestrians. An autopsy revealed Gocaj died from "scald burns with inhalational thermal injury and blunt force trauma," after a multi-axle truck reportedly dislodged the cover 12 minutes prior to her fall into the 10-foot-deep opening.
Timeline
Want updates on this thread?
Track this storyTimeline of developments
July 2026 — 1 developments
Donike Gocaj's family files wrongful death lawsuit against Con Edison
The family of Donike Gocaj has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Con Edison following her fatal fall into an open manhole on May 18, 2026. The lawsuit alleges Con Edison workers failed to properly secure the manhole cover, provide an exit, block the area, or warn pedestrians, despite awareness of recurring dangers.
June 2026 — 1 developments
Con Edison Investigates Manhole Death, Prior Safety Concerns Highlighted
Con Edison is investigating the death of Donike Gocaj, who fell into an uncovered manhole on May 19, 2026. The incident has highlighted manhole safety concerns, as two open manholes were reported at the same intersection two weeks prior to Gocaj's fall.
May 2026 — 3 developments
NYC Sewer Explorations Investigated Amid Ongoing Manhole Fatality Inquiry
Authorities are investigating a series of unusual and illegal sewer system explorations by groups of people in Brooklyn and Astoria, Queens, captured on social media, with theories that individuals may be searching for valuables. This investigation is concurrent with the ongoing inquiry into the death of Donike Gocaj, who fell into an open manhole on May 18, 2026, after a truck dislodged the cover. The NYPD suspects no criminality in Gocaj's death.
NYC Woman's Manhole Fall Death Cause Revealed; Truck May Have Dislodged Cover
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.
Grandmother Donike Gocaj Dies After Falling Into Uncovered NYC Manhole
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.