Con Edison and police are investigating why the cover was missing near Fifth Avenue.
NEW YORK — A 56-year-old woman died after stepping out of her parked SUV and falling into an uncovered manhole in Midtown Manhattan late Monday, police and utility officials said.
The woman, from Briarcliff Manor, had parked a Mercedes-Benz SUV near West 52nd Street and Fifth Avenue shortly before 11:20 p.m. She fell about 10 feet into the opening and was taken to New York-Presbyterian Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Police said officers responding to a 911 call found the woman unconscious and unresponsive at the bottom of the maintenance hole. Her name was not immediately released. Family members told WABC they were deeply saddened and shocked, and that they want to know how the uncovered opening was left in the street.
Con Edison said it was investigating the fatal fall. “We are deeply saddened to confirm that a member of the public has died after falling into an open manhole,” the utility said. “We are actively investigating how this occurred. Our thoughts are with the individual’s family, and safety remains our top priority.”
No construction was underway at the scene, WABC reported. The manhole cover was found about 15 feet from the opening. The area is one of Manhattan’s busiest retail corridors, near luxury stores, office buildings and steady late-night traffic.
The city medical examiner’s office will determine the cause of death. Police said the investigation remains open, and Con Edison has not said why the cover was off the maintenance hole or how long the opening had been exposed.
The death left relatives seeking answers Tuesday as investigators reviewed the circumstances around the uncovered manhole. The next key finding is expected from the medical examiner and from Con Edison’s internal review.
Author note: Last updated May 19, 2026.