The Albanian community in New York has been shaken by a tragic incident after an Albanian woman lost her life after falling into an uncovered manhole in one of Manhattan’s busiest areas.

The victim has been identified as Donike Gocaj, 56, a resident of Briarcliff Manor in Westchester County, New York. According to NYPD officials, the incident happened around 11:20 p.m. Monday near the intersection of East 52nd Street and Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.

Authorities say Gocaj had parked her Mercedes-Benz SUV and had just stepped out of the vehicle when she unknowingly stepped into an uncovered Con Edison utility manhole approximately 10 feet deep.

Eyewitness Carlton Wood described the horrifying moment to American media.

“She closed the car door and took one step forward. Suddenly she disappeared,” he said.

Witnesses immediately attempted to help and even brought a small ladder, but the depth of the opening made rescue efforts difficult. According to Wood, the woman could be heard screaming, “I’m dying.”

FDNY crews launched a rescue operation and transported Gocaj to NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. Reports suggest exposure to intense steam inside the utility hole may have caused cardiac arrest, though the official cause of death is still under investigation.

Family members said they are devastated and searching for answers about how such a tragedy could happen in the middle of Manhattan. Reports indicate no active construction work was taking place at the scene, and the manhole cover was later found several feet away from the opening.

Con Edison has launched an internal investigation. Preliminary findings suggest surveillance footage may show a large multi-axle truck dislodging the cover roughly 12 minutes before the deadly accident occurred.

Gocaj is described by loved ones as a devoted mother of two and grandmother of two grandchildren.