The woman who died after falling down an uncovered manhole in Midtown on Monday night has been identified as a mother and grandmother from Westchester County whose son was married just last year.
Donike Gocaj, 56, of Briarcliff Manor, New York, tumbled 10 feet down the open manhole after stepping out of her parked Mercedes-Benz SUV around 11:20 p.m. outside the Cartier store at 52nd Street and Fifth Avenue, sources said.
Donike Gocaj, 56, died after falling into a Manhattan manhole Monday night. Facebook / Donike Gocaj
The incident took place around 11:20 p.m. outside the Cartier store at 52nd Street and Fifth Avenue, sources said. Robert Mecea for New York PostResponders pulled Gocaj out of the hole and rushed her to New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, where she died from her injuries.
Gocaj’s relatives told Eyewitness News they were searching for answers following her shocking death.
The woman’s son had just gotten married in Cancun, Mexico, last July, according to Gocaj’s social media posts.
Gocaj at her son’s wedding in Cancun last July. Facebook / Donika Gocaj
Gocaj dancing with her son at his July wedding. Facebook / Donika GocajHer daughter appears to be the co-founder of “SISTERWOULD,” a hair product company designed for the visually challenged.
Both she and her business partner are “daughters of visually impaired mothers,” according to the firm’s website.
Con Edison said it was investigating why the manhole was not covered.
“We are deeply saddened to confirm that a member of the public has died after falling into an open manhole,” a spokesperson for the utility company told The Post.
“We are actively investigating how this occurred. Our thoughts are with the individual’s family, and safety remains our top priority.”
Gocaj had just stepped out of her Mercedes-Benz SUV when she fell down the hole. FNTV
Con Edison employees inspecting the scene of the accident. FNTV
Gocaj fell 10 feet down into the hole. FNTVGocaj’s official cause of death will be determined by the city medical examiner.
Burn sheets used by first responders were still on the ground at the scene Tuesday morning.
“It should have never happened. They should have covered it back up or put something around it,” a construction worker nearby told The Post.
Gocaj was a grandmother from Briarcliff Manor, New York. Facebook / Donika Gocaj
Gocaj with her daughter Rina. Facebook / Donika Gocaj“Or if it wasn’t left open, how did it get off? That’s the question right there,” he said.
“Ten feet is not too deep. Since it’s ConEd, she might have hit some live wires and got electrocuted, I don’t know.”




