A woman waiting for a bus on an Upper East Side sidewalk plunged seven feet underground when a three inch section of the sidewalk gave way.
Imagine you're waiting for the bus.
You go to stand underneath a nearby awning to shield yourself from the rain and the ground just gives away.
That's exactly what firefighters say happened to a woman who was then rushed to NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.
"She was on a fragile piece of concrete, unaware of it and the concrete gave way, she fell about seven feet into a hole -- the vault on the exterior of the building," said FDNY Chief Thomas Jemmott.
It all happened Friday night around 9:00 p.m. in the pouring rain on East 60th Street near 2nd Avenue in Manhattan. After the sidewalk caved, 31-year-old Ulanda Williams became wedged in the hole.
Firefighters tried to life her out, when that didn't work -- they had to break down the wall of the Atomic Wings restaurant just to reach her.
Rescuers then put straps on the victim and used a pully to get her out.
Fox 5 News asked Chief Jemmott that the victim is heavy set and if that have anything to do with this (the sidewalk caving in)?
"I would say yes, she was probably over 400 pounds that kind of weight, small spot, just gave.
And more people could have been standing where the victim was.
"The lady standing there waiting for the bus -- it was just a matter of seconds."
It took firefighters about 20 minutes to get her out. Fortunately, the victim reportedly is in stable condition with a broken arm and should be fine.
As for who is responsible for the sidewalk caving, that's still under investigation. It's the leasee versus the owner and sometimes it might be even more convoluted than that.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:27 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:27:26 GMT
Black and Hispanic men are more likely to be stopped in the Bronx and Brooklyn than other boroughs, according to an analysis of police street stop data released Wednesday by the New York Civil Liberties Union.
Black and Hispanic men are more likely to be stopped in the Bronx and Brooklyn than other boroughs, according to an analysis of police street stop data released Wednesday by the New York Civil Liberties Union.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:10 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:10:42 GMT
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police.
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police. The incident Monday night involved two men, who police say, had met at the Bowery Mission and went out drinking together in the East Village. Roman Gornell, 39, was arrested on Wednesday.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:23 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:23:21 GMT
Ex-congressman Anthony Weiner whose career imploded after raunchy tweets said in a YouTube video announcement that he's in the New York City mayoral race.
Ex-congressman Anthony Weiner whose career imploded after raunchy tweets said in a YouTube video announcement that he's in the New York City mayoral race. A poll released Wednesday placed Weiner in second place behind City Council Speaker Christine Quinn in a Democratic primary.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 9:51 PM EDT2013-05-22 01:51:10 GMT
Just a few days after Mark Carson, 32, was killed for being gay, and only a few hours after a massive rally in the west village calling for an end to the anti-gay violence, it happened again.
Just a few days after Mark Carson, 32, was killed for being gay, and only a few hours after a massive rally in the west village calling for an end to the anti-gay violence, it happened again.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:33 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:33:52 GMT
For 35 years, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago has been bringing its brand of contemporary dance to audiences around the world. One of the company's frequent stops is the Joyce Theater in Chelsea where it
For 35 years, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago has been bringing its brand of contemporary dance to audiences around the world. One of the company's frequent stops is the Joyce Theater in Chelsea where it
Tuesday, May 21 2013 1:15 PM EDT2013-05-21 17:15:24 GMT
An NYPD detective is accused of hacking into department computers and obtaining information about dozens of people including co-workers. Edwin Vargas was arrested Tuesday outside his home in Bronxville.
An NYPD detective is accused of hacking into department computers and obtaining information about dozens of people including co-workers.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:23 AM EDT2013-05-21 11:23:53 GMT
The New York jury on which Caroline Kennedy served has acquitted a man of dealing crack cocaine. Kennedy was juror No. 7 at the trial of Harlem resident Nelson Chatman.
The New York jury on which Caroline Kennedy served has acquitted a man of dealing crack cocaine. Kennedy was juror No. 7 at the trial of Harlem resident Nelson Chatman.
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