Construction Worker Rescued After 30-Foot Manhole Fall in Washington Heights

A 35-year-old construction worker was dramatically rescued after falling 30 feet into a manhole in New York City's Washington Heights neighborhood on November 20. The intricate operation involved a collaborative effort between the New York City Police Department's Emergency Service Unit (ESU) and the Fire Department of New York (FDNY).

The incident occurred near West 170th Street around 8:45 a.m., prompting an immediate response from emergency services. "One unexpected drop. One expert rescue," the NYPD News account posted on X, sharing bodycam footage of the daring operation.

NYPD ESU officers quickly secured the scene, establishing a temporary tripod frame and a winch system. An ESU officer and an FDNY firefighter were then lowered into the darkened manhole to reach the injured worker. Reports indicated that the rungs on the side of the shaft had rotted away, complicating the descent.

First responders carefully placed the worker onto a backboard before hoisting him to safety. The 35-year-old man was transported to New York Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center in stable condition, where he was treated and subsequently released. This successful rescue highlights the critical coordination between the city's emergency services in high-stakes situations.