November 9, 2010: Vol. 33, No. 46

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November 9, 2010 / Brooklyn news / Park Slope

The sidewalk that swallows women whole!

By Gary Buiso

The Brooklyn Paper

Talk about a sinking feeling!

Greenpoint resident Philippa Kaye was passing Flatbush and Fifth avenues on her way from the New York City Marathon on Sunday when she encountered a hole in the sidewalk so massive it swallowed her whole.

Packer Summer Day Camp

Yes, as these shocking photos show, that’s Kaye up to her waist in pavement. Yes, the hole is about three-and-a-half-feet deep.

“The fact that it had no cover or anything on it to warn people was unique,” she said. “It should be dealt with immediately. At night, someone can really break their leg.”

After we sent the Department of Environmental Protection photographs of Kaye in the ditch, inspectors were dispatched to the scene on Monday.

An agency spokeswoman said workers found a collapsed back plate in the catch basin. On Tuesday, a repair crew got to work.

Businesses in the area said the city certainly took its time, as the ditch has been there for about a month.

“It has just become part of the landscape,” said Anika Beech, the manager at Northeastern Network, a medical office at Fifth and Flatbush avenues. “If an adult body can fit in there, imagine if a child falls in.”

Updated 01:58 pm, November, 9 2010: Includes information about the ongoing repair today.

←Fort Greene: Cops: We have the C train knifeman!

→Williamsburg: Walentas hotel gets its fed stimulus money

Reader Feedback

K. from ArKady says:

Norton! Come out of that hole, Norton!

Nov. 9, 2010, 12:16 am

swipes from Greenpoint says:

Think of the children!

Nov. 9, 2010, 9:59 am

Joe from Crown Heights says:

She and Anika Beach have reported these public safety hazards to 311 immediately, right? Or just to the Brooklyn Paper?

Nov. 9, 2010, 10:22 am

J says:

staged

Nov. 9, 2010, 10:28 am

J from says says:

An opportunity to get paid.

Nov. 9, 2010, 10:39 am

Joey from Clinton Hills says:

Mean Mr. Mustard lives...

Nov. 9, 2010, 10:43 am

Jay from Parkslope says:

Philippa Kaye may rest in peas...

Nov. 9, 2010, 12:15 pm

Toby from East Village says:

This is what happens to a society that places too much value on being thin. Super skinny models are a danger to themselves and others.

Nov. 10, 2010, 4:24 pm

Cynthia from Clinton Hill says:

Wow that picture looks so fake! is she really in that hole? why would she get back in there? for a demo?

Nov. 11, 2010, 4:45 am

tony from slope says:

don’t get me wrong I feel bad that she fell in a hole thankfully she did get badly hurt.
but if the hole is about three-and-a-half-feet deep it’s has to be at least three-and-a-half-feet wide. I hate when people are too busy doing other things while walking on streets and sidewalks. All this playing with their iphones and crossing the street listening to their ipods against the light not looking need to stop

people need to pay more attention to their surroundings look up, down, and both ways every now and then

Nov. 11, 2010, 2:18 pm

steve from slope says:

godzilla's babies finally hatched!!

Nov. 11, 2010, 6:22 pm

Miek from Nunyabusiness says:

I disagree, Tony. We need more people on their iPhones and Ipods while they walk. They shouldn't pay attention to their surroundings at all. We should part the way as they barrel toward us on the sidewalks.

That said, what the heck does a 3 foot deep hole have to do with people on their cell phones? Does the story say the woman was listening to her cell phone? No. She was on her way from the marathon.

March 15, 2011, 1:15 pm

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