Con Edison is assisting in the investigation into why the maintenance hole was uncovered, emphasizing safety as the top priority and noting that investigators are examining the circumstances.

A woman who parked a Mercedes-Benz SUV near an uncovered, about 10-foot-deep steaming maintenance hole stepped away from her car and fell in, later dying at a local hospital.

The incident occurred Monday night, just before 11:30 p.m., when the hole was open and steaming as she exited her vehicle and walked into it.

First responders found the woman unconscious at the bottom of the hole and transported her to a hospital, where she died; police have not yet released her name pending next of kin notification.

NBC New York identified the victim as Donika Donike Gocaj, a 56-year-old woman from Briarcliff Manor, who was pronounced dead after being found unconscious in the manhole.

Family members say there were no cones, warning signs, or barriers around the hole at the scene.

The open, steaming manhole contributed to dangerous conditions around the incident.

Witnesses and workers criticized the open manhole, with calls that it should have been covered or protected to prevent such a tragedy.

Open manholes remain a known issue in New York City, with the city housing thousands of miles of sewer lines and about 100,000 active manholes under the oversight of the Department of Environmental Protection.

The medical examiner will determine the cause of death and an official ruling will follow.

The New York Times notes the city has received more than 700 service requests regarding open manholes so far this year, underscoring the broader infrastructure safety concern.

Relatives described the victim’s family background, including a son who recently married in Cancun and a daughter involved in a hair products company serving visually impaired customers.