Times Square saw an unusual incident last night when a taxi became suspended over a manhole. According to NBC New York, around 7 p.m. at West 42nd Street and Broadway, an SUV taxi was caught hanging above a manhole. Witnesses reported steam rising from the area as the vehicle remained in place, with its front tires resting on a vent.
The taxi driver and his passenger were unharmed. ABC7NY reported that police were notified after a taxi drove over a metal grate covering a manhole and became lodged on a piece of metal. During the incident, one of the taxi’s rear tires was close to falling into the manhole, prompting authorities to respond quickly to the hazard.
Utility company Con Edison is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. So far, no power outages or additional injuries have been reported. The area was cordoned off after the event, and repair crews were dispatched to the site today.
Concerns of an explosion were quickly ruled out after FDNY, NYPD, and Con Edison teams inspected the site and confirmed that the taxi had not encountered an explosive hazard, but had become caught on the metal structure beneath. ABC7NY stated that officials said debris struck the vehicle, causing a spark. Con Edison is now awaiting the arrival of a tow truck to remove the stranded taxi from its position atop the structure.
