Folks walking through Times Square on the night of Dec. 4 witnessed a taxi being swallowed by the street. TikTok user Nedjie (@_contentt_) uploaded a video of the accident, which looked like it was ripped straight out of a disaster movie.
From the clip’s onset, the terror of the scene is set. An iconic yellow cab, synonymous with the Big Apple, is elevated off the ground. Beneath its tires are large, rectangular, black slabs, misaligned and protruding from a deep hole. A text overlay reads, "You’re in Times Square and the street collapsed under a taxi."
As the person behind the camera approaches the cavity, it becomes apparent that these slabs aren’t pavement but rather a door system composed of what appear to be metal girders. Those who frequent NYC will recognize these road segments, especially drivers. They’re not always entirely level with the pavement itself. Since they’re made of an entirely different material, this can create a jarring effect when driven over.
The "Collapsed" Street is Actually a Maintenance Point
Local New York news affiliate ABC 7 Eyewitness News provided further coverage of the incident. The outlet confirmed that the Toyota RAV4 taxi did indeed become lodged inside a Con Edison manhole. These metallic access points are used by employees of the energy company to service equipment integral to the city's infrastructure.
ABC went on to state that the taxi became stuck after driving over the access point, which came apart. The vehicle’s back tire was stuck in the hole, as evidenced in both the video and footage from the news.
Not depicted in the TikTok was a purported spark that emitted from the vehicle at the time of the accident. However, officials investigating the incident said that this wasn’t the result of the vehicle striking any Con Edison machinery or wiring. Instead, a piece of debris that came into contact with the car caused a brief flare. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, nor were there any power outages as a result of the accident, ABC noted.
In an email to Motor1, the New York Taxi and License Commission stated that it was looking into the incident. The representative suggested contacting the NYPD in the meantime. The NYPD told Motor1, "On December 4, 2025, at approximately 1913 hours, police responded to a taxi that was stuck in an uncovered manhole in the vicinity of West 42 Street and Broadway. The vehicle was towed. No injuries or damages were reported. Con Edison was notified."
"Almost Fell Into the Underworld"
The taxi incident reflects a fear many share. "That's actually SCARY!" one person wrote in response to the clip.
Someone else said the manhole cover’s positioning was cause for concern. "Right at the crosswalk? Imagine if someone was walking across?" they wrote. Another found the scene so jarring that they initially couldn’t believe it was real. "I thought this was an art installation at first."
And then there were a slew of other commenters who urged the taxi driver to sue. Some even expressed jealousy of the driver, hoping to be on the receiving end of a settlement with the city.
At least one commenter speculated as to what could’ve causes the taxi’s manhole situation. They said they’re familiar with the door in the video because the company they work for manufactures similar ones.
"[The street] didn't collapse the underground access doors probably opened and got caught on the underside of the taxi," they wrote. "The hole has an aluminum or steel frame you can see. I know this because I work at a boring job that makes similar doors like the one in the video."
Manhole Troubles in New York
This isn’t the first time a service hole malfunction frightened New Yorkers. On April 10, 2022, CBS News reported on an explosion that erupted from underground in Times Square. In footage from city cameras and from people walking through the bustling heart of midtown Manhattan, crowds of concerned pedestrians are seen running away from the explosion site.
On Nov. 20, a construction worker in Washington Heights survived a 30-foot drop into a manhole. The accident prompted immediate action from Emergency Service Unit personnel and the New York Fire Department. NYPD body camera footage recording the man’s retrieval documented some of the complications emergency responders encountered. Namely, that metal rungs installed in the manhole system "had rotted away" over time, per a Construction Owners blog about the accident.
It isn’t just manhole covers that could have caused harm to those who reside in the Empire State. A woman ambling with her grandchildren on a sidewalk in Poughkeepsie narrowly missed a manhole explosion that displaced large chunks of concrete. The family was on their way back from an Easter Egg hunt, and after crossing over the blast zone, it erupted moments later, within inches of them.
Main Causes of Manhole Cover Accidents
According to the Law Offices of Evan W. Kohn, "missing or misplaced manhole covers can cause pedestrians to slip, trip, and fall." Furthermore, the Bronx legal firm writes that missing manhole covers are "a major hazard" and "driving overly a poorly covered manhole can trap a car." The law services provider added that "parts of the NYC electrical grid are very, very old and in serious need of replacement or maintenance."
Photographer Don Burmeister, who compiled a series of different manhole covers, writes that these maintenance fixtures have an over 160-year history in the city that never sleeps. In his compendium, he evaluates the various types of manhole slabs and the inscriptions they bear.
Who Is Liable for Manhole Cover Accidents?
According to the Porter Law Group, the following parties may be liable in a manhole cover accident:
- Private property owners
- City governments
- County authorities
- State agencies
- Federal entities
To hold a party liable for the accident, you need to prove negligence. The Dearie Law Firm says, "This can be done by showing that the entity responsible for the manhole knew about the dangerous condition but failed to remedy it or provide a warning. You may also be able to bring a claim if you can prove that the owner of the manhole created the hazard."
What Should I Do If I Am Injured in a Manhole Accident?
If you’re injured in a manhole accident, you should seek medical attention immediately.
In addition to seeking medical attention, Morgan & Morgan notes you should take the following steps following a manhole accident:
- Report the accident: Create an official record by notifying local authorities or property management of the accident.
- Document the scene: Take photos and videos of the open or defective manhole. These, along with images and videos of missing barricades, puddles, construction markings, or the surrounding area, can be critical evidence.
- Get witness information: Anyone who saw the accident or what led up to it may be able to help your case.
- Contact a lawyer ASAP: You need to act quickly with manhole cases to preserve evidence before conditions change or repairs are made.
Expedience is especially important for New Yorkers looking to make a claim against the government. According to Dearie Law Firm, New Yorkers must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the accident or risk losing the opportunity to seek compensation for injuries or damages forever.
Motor1 has reached out to Nedjie via Instagram direct message for further comment. We also reached out to Con Edison via email. This story will be updated should either party reply.
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