
The Westchester grandmother who plunged into an open manhole in Midtown died of scald burns and a combination of other severe injuries, the cityβs medical examiner ruled on Wednesday.
The shocking death of Donike Gocaj, 56, was officially ruled an accident, officials said.
Gocaj fell into an uncovered manhole after parking her SUV along East 52nd Street near Fifth Avenue around 11:20 p.m. on Monday.
She suffered inhalational thermal injuries and blunt force trauma to her torso, all of which contributed to her death, according to the medical examiner.
The horrific combination of injuries is consistent with a fall into superheated steam, which is often present in New York City manholes, said Barbara Butcher, former chief of staff at the cityβs medical examinerβs office.
βPerhaps the most damaging injury was the inhalation of steam, which would have damaged the alveoli β the tiny air sacs in the lungs that transfer oxygen to the bloodstream,β Butcher explained. βWhen they swell, they can no longer bring in oxygen.
βThe steam would have caused scald burns on her skin, but the real cause of injury was the inhalation.β
Lee Ann Grossberg, a forensic pathologist in North Carolina, described such injuries as particularly dreadful.
βThat would have been a really painful death,β she said.
A witness recounted that Gocaj β a devoted mother and grandmother from Briarcliff Manor β hauntingly screamed βIβm dyingβ as bystanders desperately tried to help her before first responders arrived. The Con Edison utility hole she fell into was filled with boiling water and steam, the witness said.
The medical examinerβs ruling confirmed that Gocaj died from horrific heat-related injuries.
News
Travis Kelce just liked a post sparking MAJOR debate: Will Taylor Swift ditch her iconic last name and become Mrs. Kelce after their long-awaited 2026 wedding? π±
Travis Kelce has given a playful sign that he and Taylor Swift are already thinking about changing their last names…
The Hidden Pain Behind Cain Dingle’s Tough Exterior: Jeff Hordley’s Silent Battle with Crohn’s That Fans Can’t Stop Talking About
Fans of the long-running British soap Emmerdale have flooded social media with messages of love and support for actor Jeff…
Tragedy Turns Sinister: Autopsy Reveals Chilling Timeline in 12-Year-Old Junior Slaterβs βDrowningβ β Police Now Fear Foul Play
In a heartbreaking case that has shaken the quiet village of Ribchester in Lancashire, police are treating the death of…
Heartbreaking Final Moments: Police Release Chilling Video Showing Arm Forcing 12-Year-Old Junior Slater Underwater in Just 10 Seconds on River Ribble
In a devastating revelation that has left a community in shock, Lancashire Police have released distressing footage capturing the final…
SHOCKING INHERITANCE NIGHTMARE: Kyle Busch’s Wife & Kids Left With NOTHING After Tragic Death β Massive Fortune Vanishes!!!
The motorsports world is still reeling from the sudden death of NASCAR legend Kyle Busch at just 41 years old…
Judge Drops Bombshell Ruling in Cruise Ship M.u.r.d.e.r β Accused Stepbrother Walks Free
The 16-year-old stepbrother charged with the sexual assault and murder of Anna Kepner will remain free for now and is…
End of content
No more pages to load




