Scald Burns Killed Woman Who Fell Into NYC Manhole, Officials Say

MIDTOWN, NY — The woman who fell into an open manhole in Midtown East died from heat-related injuries, as well as blunt force trauma, the city's medical examiners said Thursday.

Donike Gocaj died of "scald burns" and "inhalational thermal injury" as well as blunt force trauma to her torso, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said.

According to the NYPD, the 56-year-old woman had stepped out of a parked car at around 11:19 p.m. on Monday in front of 653 Fifth Ave., near East 52nd Street, when she fell into the manhole.

Medics rushed the woman to NewYork-Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical Center, but she could not be saved, police said.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled her death an accident.

This is a developing story and will be updated. For questions, email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.