Grandmother's Final Words During NYC Manhole Incident Revealed by Witness

A witness is now speaking out about the desperate final moments of a grandmother who vanished through an open manhole in the middle of New York City. What he heard her cry out from the bottom of that hole is something he will not soon forget.

Donike Gocaj, 56, a grandmother from Briarcliff Manor in Westchester County, had just parked her Mercedes on a Manhattan street on the night of Monday, May 18, 2026, less than a block from one of the most expensive storefronts in the city. She never made it to her destination.

Where Was She, and What Did She Walk Into?

The stretch of East 52nd Street where Gocaj parked sits directly outside Cartier's flagship New York City store, one of Midtown Manhattan's most recognizable blocks. It was nearly 11:20 p.m., the street was dark, and there was nothing to warn her of what lay just beyond her car door.

Fire safety director Carlton Wood was on his way to work when he watched Gocaj step out of her vehicle, close the door behind her, and take a single step forward.

A moment later, she dropped 10 feet into an uncovered drain below, disappearing from sight instantly. Of course, Wood's instincts kicked right in, and he ran toward the hole.

He found her sitting at the bottom in a steaming hot puddle of water, legs stretched forward, looking up and begging for help.

What Did Bystanders Do to Try to Save Her?

Wood called 911 while other witnesses at the scene scrambled to act. Several people attempted to lower a man into the hole by his arms, hoping Gocaj could grab onto his feet and be pulled to safety, but the depth made it impossible.

Someone retrieved a ladder from their car, only to find it was too large to fit into the opening. Every attempt to reach her came up short, and the clock was moving. Through all of it, Wood could hear her voice rising from the darkness below.

By the time he got off the phone with 911 a few minutes later and rejoined the group, trying to hold the would-be rescuer steady, Gocaj had been repeating the same thing over and over: "I'm dying, I'm dying." Those were the last words anyone would hear her speak.

What Happened When Emergency Services Arrived?

Gocaj had lost consciousness before paramedics and the FDNY even arrived on scene. Firefighters spent roughly 20 minutes extracting her from the manhole.

When she was finally brought out and placed on a stretcher, Wood said her legs appeared black and badly burned, as though they had been severely scalded by the steaming water below.

The grandmother was transported to New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, where she was unfortunately pronounced dead. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of the City of New York will determine her official cause of death.

Why Was the Manhole Left Uncovered?

The manhole cover was found lying about 15 feet away from the opening. There were no safety warning devices, according to Wood. He also made it clear that Gocaj didn't do anything wrong.

"There were no cones, no barricades, no signs. She wasn't on her phone and didn't seem distracted at all. It was dark and unfortunately she just didn't see the hole. It could have happened to anyone."

Gocaj's family, visibly shaken at the scene the following day, echoed that account. Her daughter-in-law told CBS there were absolutely no barriers or signage around the open hole, and the family demanded answers about how it had been left that way.

New York City baked in 86°F heat that Monday, which sparked speculation about whether the temperature could have caused the cover to dislodge on its own.

But Con Edison, the company that maintains tens of thousands of manholes across the city, later reviewed surveillance footage and landed on a different explanation entirely.

What Did Con Edison's Investigation Reveal?

According to a statement obtained by People, the cover was dislodged when a multi-axle truck turning from 5th Avenue onto 52nd Street drove over it. Approximately 12 minutes later, Gocaj parked her car nearby and stepped out into the unguarded opening.

"We are deeply saddened to confirm that a member of the public has died after falling into an open manhole. We are actively investigating how this occurred," Con Edison said, adding that its thoughts remain with her family and that safety is its top priority.

City regulations require that any uncovered street openings be barricaded and clearly marked with flags, lights, or signs. Contractors are also mandated to temporarily cover any manholes being worked on outside of regular hours.

Whether any work had been conducted at that location in the hours before Gocaj fell remains unclear, but no criminal activity is suspected at this time.

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection manages roughly 100,000 active manholes across the city. The New York Times reports that the department has already received more than 700 service requests regarding open manholes so far in 2026.

Workers have since covered the gap with a metal grate, and barriers and cones have been placed around the scene.

What Did City Officials Say?

The Mayor's Office, currently held by Zohran Mamdani, addressed the tragedy directly, and its statement left little room for ambiguity about the city's responsibility to follow through.

"Our condolences are with the family of the woman who lost her life in this devastating incident," the office said. "City agencies are working with Con Ed to support the emergency response and conduct a full investigation into what occurred. Every question must be asked and answered so that no New Yorker experiences a tragedy like this again."

For Gocaj's family, the answers cannot come soon enough. We offer our condolences to them during this difficult time.

Unfortunately, a grandmother lost her life earlier this year in another unexpected situation. A Georgia family started demanding answers after a grandmother attending a wake was killed in a drive-by shooting outside the Gus Thornhill Funeral Home in East Point on Friday, January 9.

According to authorities, 55-year-old Ina Chambers was fatally shot during the attack, which also left another woman injured. As of Sunday, January 11, evening, no arrests had been made, and police said multiple suspects were involved in the shooting.

When and Where the Shooting Occurred

The shooting happened outside the East Point funeral home, where several wakes were taking place simultaneously.

East Point Police Chief Shawn Buchanan described the incident as an "outrage," explaining that four different families were inside the building mourning loved ones when gunfire broke out.

"They're suffering. They're trying to bury their loved ones, and for someone to take that opportunity away from them and destroy their peace... our team will not rest until justice is served," the police chief said.

Who Chambers was

Two days after her death, Chambers' family gathered with friends outside their DeKalb County home, releasing balloons as they struggled to process the sudden loss.

"They came for her," her husband, Phil Chambers, said when speaking to WSAW-TV about the shooting. "I just got a clear mind. Don't know what to do," he shared. "I lost my wife," he added when speaking to Fox5 Atlanta.

Her older brother, Efrem Jenkins, remembered her as the center of every gathering. "She was vibrant. She was the life of the party," Jenkins said.

In an interview with Fox 5 Atlanta, he added that his sister was "vibrant" and "very biblical," a devoted wife who was always doing something good for others.

"My little sister has been taken away," he continued. "For those of you who know her, you know she's the best."

Why the Loss Has Shaken Loved Ones

Jenkins said the family was still trying to come to terms with the tragedy because "It's so senseless, and it's just hard to wrap your head around it," Jenkins continued. "The phrase that we've been using is just: no words. Just no words."

He also issued a message to those responsible for the violence:

"Just no words. The family is small, and it's getting even smaller by the day. Gun control is one thing, but control your kids. And if they're not kids, they're young adults: listen, you're ruining your lives, and you're taking our lives."

"If you're out there doing senseless things like this, just know the world goes in a circle and it does come back around, you just never know how. So, please stop," Jenkins added.

What the Police Say About the Investigation

At the time, East Point Police were asking for the public's help as the investigation continued. Authorities confirmed that Chambers had been at the funeral home with her grandchildren, whom she had taken to a viewing for another relative when the shooting occurred.

According to a report, family members reconfirmed that Chambers was outside the funeral home when gunfire suddenly erupted. When she heard the shots, the doting grandmother immediately pushed her grandchildren, ages 5 and 1, and others nearby out of harm's way.

Moments later, Chambers was shot to death, her family said. "She protected them. She pushed them out of the way," her daughter said. "She turned her back and shielded herself for them. They fell down. But they're perfectly fine."

No suspects were in custody as of January 11. Police said anyone with information is urged to contact East Point Police Communications.

How Chambers is Remembered

Friends and family members have continued to honor Chambers' life through heartfelt tributes shared online. Her daughter, Jamya Cooper, wrote on Facebook, "You didn't deserve this. I love youuu mommmy."

Another family member, Arzell Brooks, shared a post expressing love for Phil Chambers and describing the deceased as a second mother, saying her loss was extremely painful and ending the message with a tribute of love and remembrance.

A friend, Narvella Gray Dial, also shared, "I received the heartbreaking news last night that we lost my amazing friend/sister Ina Chambers last night to a senseless act of gun violence, adding:

"When I say FRIEND, this is what I mean!! She was the best friend, mother, grandmother, wife, auntie to my adult daughters, community leader and all around good person that anyone could ever meet and have the privilege of having in your life."

"I will miss her!!! Please keep her daughter Jamya, husband Phil Chambers, mother, grand children and entire family in your thoughts and prayers," she concluded her tribute.

As investigators continued working to identify those responsible, Chambers' family said they were focused on honoring her memory while holding on to the hope that answers would come. For loved ones still reeling from the violence, the grief was overwhelming, marked by disbelief that a moment meant for mourning could turn so devastating.

Even as they tried to navigate the days ahead without her, the family maintained a single, unwavering plea: that justice be served for a woman that was taken too soon and in the most senseless way.