Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

Man Falls To His Death Through Sidewalk Cellar Grate


By

Lauren Evans

Published Jan 19, 2015

Modified Jan 19, 2015


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

Google Maps


By

Lauren Evans

Published Jan 19, 2015

Modified Jan 19, 2015


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

A common New York City nightmare became a tragic reality yesterday for a pedestrian who fell to his death through a flimsy cellar grate in Bed-Stuy.

According to the Daily News, the man was walking over the cellar doors outside an abandoned building at 1281 Bedford Avenue around 3 p.m. when they gave way beneath him. The man, said to be in his 30s and living in a nearby shelter, was seen by witnesses being removed from the cellar.

Bystander Richie McCray told the News he saw the horrible incident unfold. "The thing just opened," he said. "He was walking. He wasn't paying attention. The thing is loose. And he disappeared."

A man was hospitalized last summer after tumbling through a set of open cellar doors in East Harlem.

Tagged

cellar doors

nightmare

williamsburg


Lauren Evans

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE news

Police are still investigating bike crash that killed dad of 2 in Central Park

The family is raising money for the wife and two daughters he leaves behind.

By

Brittany Kriegstein

Published Sep 29, 2026 at 9:31 a.m. ET


NYC has a plan to stop homeless people from cycling between hospitals and the streets

The Bridge to Home program, which began last year, will officially expand to Brooklyn on Tuesday.

By

Karen Yi

News

NYC has a plan to stop homeless people from cycling between hospitals and the streets

The Bridge to Home program, which began last year, will officially expand to Brooklyn on Tuesday.

By

Karen Yi


Early Addition: Billy Joel is auctioning off 70 of his motorcycles

By

James Ramsay

Man dragged to death by subway in Brooklyn after getting caught on closing doors

By

Brittany Kriegstein

Upper East Side braces for affordable housing fast track, and backlash from residents

By

David Brand


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .