A New York mother tragically died after falling into an open manhole just outside a Cartier store in Midtown. Witnesses reported that 56-year-old Donica Gokai exited her car and suddenly “fell,” crying out “I’m dying” as bystanders rushed to assist her.
Carlton Wood, who was on his way to work around 11:20 p.m. Monday, witnessed the incident near 52nd Street and Fifth Avenue. He described how Gokai exited her Mercedes-Benz, closed the door, took a few steps, and then disappeared into the hole.
“It was just like a cartoon. She vanished into the hole,” Wood recalled, noting that Gokai didn’t seem distracted or using her phone at the time.
Hurrying over, Wood called 911 after hearing Gokai’s desperate screams for help from below.
“She kept repeating, ‘I’m going to die, I’m going to die,’” he added. Other people in the area quickly joined in, with one man attempting to lower himself in to help her while another fetched a ladder that ended up being too short.
Emergency services arrived within minutes, but by that time, Wood said he could no longer hear her cries.
First responders managed to pull her out after about 20 minutes and she was rushed to NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, where she later succumbed to her injuries. The medical examiner is expected to determine the exact cause of death.
Wood mentioned that the utility hole, previously used by Con Edison, had no warning signs or visible construction activity nearby at the time of the incident.
According to Wood, the cover of the hole appeared to have been moved aside, and there were absolutely no safety cones or barriers around it.
Despite the fall not being very far, Wood described conditions inside the hole as stifling, likening it to being in a hot puddle.
“Maybe it was like a steam bath in there. She could have been suffocating. I remember the firefighters wearing masks while they pulled her out,” he stated.
Con Edison has since announced an investigation into why the manhole was uncovered. A spokesperson expressed condolences, confirming the death and stating that they are looking into the circumstances surrounding the incident. “Our thoughts are with the family, and we are committed to ensuring safety in our operations,” the spokesperson said.
