A tragic incident occurred late Monday night in Midtown Manhattan when a woman lost her life after tumbling into an open manhole, as reported by police to Fox News Digital.
The victim, a 56-year-old female, was discovered unresponsive and unconscious within the exposed manhole located at 653 Fifth Ave., close to East 52nd Street, at approximately 11:19 p.m., according to the NYPD’s Tuesday update to Fox News Digital.
Upon receiving a 911 call concerning a person in need of assistance, officers from the Midtown North Precinct arrived at the scene, finding the woman inside the manhole. This location is part of a bustling shopping and tourist area in Manhattan, surrounded by high-end shops, office buildings, and hotels.
Emergency Medical Services transported the woman to New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, where she was later declared deceased. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is tasked with establishing the official cause of death.
The vicinity of Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, near where the woman tragically fell into an open manhole, is depicted here. (Getty Images)
The identity of the deceased is being withheld pending proper family notification.
Authorities have not said why the manhole was uncovered or whether any work was being done in the area at the time of the incident.
New York City-based energy company, Con Edison, said it is also investigating the woman’s death.
It is currently not known why the manhole was uncovered. (Getty Images)
“We are deeply saddened to confirm that a member of the public has died after falling into an open manhole,” a company spokesperson told ABC 7. “We are actively investigating how this occurred.”
“Our thoughts are with the individual’s family, and safety remains our top priority,” the statement added.
No arrests have been made, and the investigation remains ongoing, according to the NYPD.
CBS News reported that the woman’s family arrived at the scene Tuesday morning seeking answers about how the incident happened. The outlet reported family members were seen embracing and consoling one another.
The woman was found unconscious and unresponsive inside an uncovered manhole in front of 653 Fifth Ave., near East 52nd Street. (Getty Images)
The woman’s daughter-in-law was “visibly shaking” as she spoke with CBS News and claimed there were no warning signs or covers over the manhole as the family continued trying to process the incident.
The area around the manhole remained partially cordoned off Tuesday morning as investigators continued examining the scene.