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Dangers of Texting: Girl Falls To Sewer Through Manhole
Photo courtesy flickr user "karpov the wrecked train" under a Creative Commons 2.0 attribution license.
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Michael Barkoviak/Daily Tech
July 13, 2009
A teenager walking along the streets in Staten Island recently suffered an embarrassing mistake when she walked into an open sewer while sending text messages on her cell phone.
Alexa Longueira, 15, suffered deep cuts and bruises after she fell through a manhole that was uncovered and reportedly left unattended. Two New York City Department of Environmental Protection workers were planning on flushing the sewer, left the manhole cover off, and walked away without putting up a warning sign or orange cones.
“It was just really gross and it was shocking and scary," Longueira said about the incident. “Because of their careless mistake I got hurt.”
The girl admitted she was texting, though doesn’t believe the manhole should have been left open and unattended.
“Regardless of whether I’m texting or not if there was a cone there I’m going to see a big orange cone. I walk that sidewalk every day, I don’t expect a big hole there.”
One of the DEP employees who was on scene helped the girl out of the sewer, then she was taken to a local hospital. The city has opened an investigation, and it’s unknown if any type of possible legal action may be taken against the city.
Until the family decides whether or not to file a lawsuit, Longueira will have an MRI to check for possible spine damage sometime this week.
It’s becoming increasingly common to hear about people occasionally trip in fall, walk into a door or pole, or some other type of clumsy mistake while texting on their phone. It’s little mistakes like this that has led some states to ban texting while driving, stating it’s inherently dangerous, as the driver loses focus on the road.
InsideTech update (7-14, 5PM PST): It appears that the family of the girl in this story has now decided to sue the city for her misadventure. We’ll edit this post with any more updates as we learn them.
© 2009, DailyTech
kwickenb
4 months ago
28 comments
Longueira said, “Because of their careless mistake I got hurt.”
What about her not applying common jurisprudence? She was not paying attention where she was going (a common thing these days), if she had she would not have fallen into the sewer hole and come out smelling something less like the little rose blossom she was. Alas, only a few bruises and a hurt ego, thankfully it was not worse. When I was in business law we called this contributory negligence. No award! However, due to the current system of things she will get a pass and be awarded a couple of million from the Liberal City of NY, just like millions of others who have learned to "game" the system for personal gain/greed.
mkvenom03
4 months ago
4 comments
I hope the New York City Department of Environmental Protection workers don't get sued or lose their jobs because of this girl. It was incredibly dumb of her to text and walk. Granted I do that, but I have what is called peripheral vision and see stuff that is in front of me.
I just hate it when stupid people do stupid things and get money for it...that's why there's caution stickers on every product that is sold today.
BugaBoo
4 months ago
46 comments
Have a nice trip.
See you next Fall.
Bootlegger
4 months ago
166 comments
While the city is liable thanks to the mistakes of its employees not properly marking an open manhole, the liability should be somewhat mitigated by the girl's admission that she was texting and not paying primary attention to where she was walking. The city should only be responsible for the medical bills incurred but will likely have to pay out far more once a jury gets done crying with the girl and her family over her falling down the manhole.
HernanJV
4 months ago
38 comments
What a wonderful country we live in. People are free to be morons and sue for their stupidity.
kurokitsune
4 months ago
8 comments
Yeah I hope she is alright but that's just as bad as those chukle heads who read while walking. What if had been a speeding car?
mona1313
4 months ago
14 comments
I hope she didn't hurt her spine or suffer any other serious injuries. However, pretty funny story I see people all the time like her walking and texting. Perhaps she will pay attention next time!