AfterDawn: News

Texting girl falls into NYC manhole

According to WCBS, 15-year-old Alexa Longueira was walking in Staten Island, New York last week, texting on her phone when she fell into an open manhole, recieving minor injuries.

She also lost a shoe in the sewage. Speaking of the incident Alexa says her fall was "really gross... shocking and scary."



Now obviously, the accident was not entirely the girl's fault. There were no warning signs around the unattended manhole. A nearby Department of Environmental Protection worker pulled her out and continued his job of flushing the sewer after. The Department then issued an apology for the lack of orange cones or warning signs.

Despite the lack of warning signs however, many observers almost completely blame Longueira for not seeing an open manhole and being completely detached from her surroundings.

The problem of texting has been in the news of late especially in regards to driving, where a string of accidents have been attributed to distracted drivers texting while behind the wheel.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 13 Jul 2009 13:20

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• 46 comments

• DXR88

  this is how would you say, a Shitty situation. good for her better a manhole than a Semi-Truck.

  13.7.2009 13:33 #1

• garmoon

  Obviously why it's so easy to snatch a youngster and away with them to do what evil lurks, since they haven't a clue about their surroundings.

  13.7.2009 13:34 #2

• nintenut

  Serves her right. We should have more open manholes for dumbass texting teenagers to fall into, just all over the place.

  13.7.2009 14:29 #3

• varnull

  hahahahahahahaha.. what a retard.. hope she gets some nasty disease that turns her into a bloke.. that would teach her to look where she is walking XD
  

  
  
  Free open source software = made by end users who want an application to work.
  I would rather you hate me for who I am than love me for what I am not.
  “It is poor civic hygiene to install technologies that could someday facilitate a police state.” - Bruce Schneier

  13.7.2009 14:36 #4

• Lothros

  InB4Lausuit

  13.7.2009 14:45 #5

• gnovak1

  It's scary how many people i see texting while they are driving.
  That's the same as driving drunk.
  
  Even though there were not enough cones, she still was at fault for texting instead of looking where she's going. That could have been a street she walked on and she could've got hit by a car.
  
  Thank goodness she only received minor injuries. Hope she learns her lesson but i doubt it.

  13.7.2009 14:49 #6

• Zaboo

  Now that everyone knew her name, she would be the texting jokes of her peers. My bad, she's texting jokes all over the internet.

  13.7.2009 15:22 #7

• creaky

  Wonder if this is the same girl that was arrested for texting in school ~ http://www.afterdawn.com/news/archive/17031.cfm
  

  
  
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  13.7.2009 15:47 #8

• beanos66

  100% the sewage workers fault that's why they have barriers and signs, which are supposed to be erected before removing the cover.
  
  people ask what if she'd walked in front of a vehicle, I say that's what kerbs are for
  
  and my own what if... the person who fell in the hole was blind?

  13.7.2009 16:05 #9

• jetyi83

  i think you meant to write "now obviously the fall wasnt entirely the girl's fault" since there were no warnings?

  13.7.2009 16:53 #10

• Lothros

  Originally posted by jetyi83: i think you meant to write "now obviously the fall wasnt entirely the girl's fault" since there were no warnings?There was warning, a Gaping Hole in the ground

  13.7.2009 17:40 #11

• DVDBack23

  Originally posted by jetyi83: i think you meant to write "now obviously the fall wasnt entirely the girl's fault" since there were no warnings?Typo corrected, thanks :)

  13.7.2009 17:45 #12

• Hopium

  Quote:There was warning, a Gaping Hole in the groundyeah now they are gonna pass a law that sewer workers are gonna have to set up disco lights and wear big bird costumes so no one falls into a hole in the middle of a sidewalk directly in front of them

  13.7.2009 17:49 #13

• philipman

  good read, made me laugh. I would have to say that it's all her fault, put down the phone and just freaking walk or try this thing called a phone call and make a 45 minute texting conversation into a five minute phone call.

  13.7.2009 18:31 #14

• ThePastor

  We're missing a golden opportunity here.
  We need to start a service where city workers can send out "texting alerts" to all of the people in the city to warn them that there is an open manhole so that no one will fall into it.
  
  But then of course, she would probably fail to "opt in" and miss the alert anyway...

  13.7.2009 20:04 #15

• 21Q

  I actually saw this one the news since it happened near my area. She wasn't badly hurt just some scratches here and there. Apparently she fell in right before they were going to put cones around it, as if. But anyway I think both parties are at fault here.

  13.7.2009 20:37 #16

• Jimathome

  Well I have to say in most of Europe it's not only against the law to text whilst driving but also just using a mobile phone unless one has a hands free kit, but she wasn't driving and we don't require children or even adults to have a licence for walking on a public footpath however it is a legal requirement for maintenance workers to clearly cordon off any gaping holes they may have created or indeed any open manholes, generally this helps to avoid unnecessary accidents.

  13.7.2009 22:24 #17

• DXR88

  the city shouldn't get blamed for this, you can make the argument all day. what if it was a bus instead of a manhole. the fact is simple she wasn't watching where she was going.
  
  you could have probably blocked it with cones and she still would have fell in. cones don't jump out and say hey little girl there an open manhole ahead.
  
  Kids don't need phones, they need tasers and bazooka's. they need self reliance. when a sex pred picks you up u gonna call momy, or are you going to make some roasted nuts.

  13.7.2009 22:37 #18

• Blackjax

  Ah a perfect time to use one of my favorite sayings "open yer eyes jackass". I usually use it for motorists who are (take your pick here), sucking down their fifth cup of joe while driving, applying makeup, eating and talking on the phone without a headset, and the all time most observed... extended deep nasal exploration.
  
  Go thru life with your eyes perverbally closed and eventually you will fall into a dark hole full of shhhh... stuff.

  14.7.2009 00:40 #19

• ripxrush

  Originally posted by beanos66: 100% the sewage workers fault that's why they have barriers and signs, which are supposed to be erected before removing the cover.
  
  people ask what if she'd walked in front of a vehicle, I say that's what kerbs are for
  
  and my own what if... the person who fell in the hole was blind?Your are right! this did happen in America where NO ONE is responsible for their own actions! Hot coffee WTF is that?
  
  gimme a brake! Maybe he should have had a sign up or what ever for the blind & what not but she had NO EXCUSE!

  14.7.2009 00:44 #20

• ZippyDSM

  Sadly zippy can do this without the aid of technology >>

  14.7.2009 01:44 #21

• Blackjax

  Paranoia will do that to you Zip. ;)

  14.7.2009 06:19 #22

• ZippyDSM

  Originally posted by Blackjax: Paranoia will do that to you Zip. ;)
  More like I iz not paying attention to where I am walking. 0-o

  14.7.2009 10:35 #23

• mflyu2

  i bet she felt retarded only having one shoe afterward.

  14.7.2009 11:38 #24

• jimmer

  not only should women not be allowed to drive
  they shouldn't be allowed to walk either

  14.7.2009 15:15 #25

• varnull

  OI.. there's nothing wrong with women driving (lower accident rate.. less road rage.. keep to the speed limit and obey the laws) or walking.. lets face it.. more women walk than penis lacking petrol head men who need escalators outside the gym.. just this one.. is either blonde or terminally retarded.. next time I hope it's a bus.. or a sink hole.. or an alligator..
  
  to the people saying she should sue.. have you ever heard the phrase "safety is the responsibility of the individual first" .. I would love her to sue.. and pick up a $5000 fine for walking without regard for the safety of herself or others... evolution gave us eyes for a reason.. seems some people spend so much time looking at jacko and his interests.. amongst other pr0n.. that they can no longer see past the ends of their noses or detect cloud coockoo f-in land from reality.. myst be win7 fanboys methinks.. never find a fsf member walking without looking first.. nobody holds our hand and wipes our backside for us XD.. have a nice day.. (which some twat said to me in a BK on the day of my mothers funeral.. they enjoyed their teeth for lunch)
  

  
  
  Free open source software = made by end users who want an application to work.
  I would rather you hate me for who I am than love me for what I am not.
  “It is poor civic hygiene to install technologies that could someday facilitate a police state.” - Bruce Schneier

  14.7.2009 15:31 #26

• Deadrum33

  The best part about this story and the video accounts found around the web is "The workcrew left the cover off while they went to get cones to warn of the cover being off"
  Classic.
  

  
  
  http://www.myspace.com/livingdeadband

  14.7.2009 16:17 #27

• ZippyDSM

  Originally posted by varnull: OI.. there's nothing wrong with women driving (lower accident rate.. less road rage.. keep to the speed limit and obey the laws) or walking.. lets face it.. more women walk than penis lacking petrol head men who need escalators outside the gym.. just this one.. is either blonde or terminally retarded.. next time I hope it's a bus.. or a sink hole.. or an alligator..
  
  to the people saying she should sue.. have you ever heard the phrase "safety is the responsibility of the individual first" .. I would love her to sue.. and pick up a $5000 fine for walking without regard for the safety of herself or others... evolution gave us eyes for a reason.. seems some people spend so much time looking at jacko and his interests.. amongst other pr0n.. that they can no longer see past the ends of their noses or detect cloud coockoo f-in land from reality.. myst be win7 fanboys methinks.. never find a fsf member walking without looking first.. nobody holds our hand and wipes our backside for us XD.. have a nice day.. (which some twat said to me in a BK on the day of my mothers funeral.. they enjoyed their teeth for lunch)My aunt and her 2 daughters are speed demons 0-o but normal women are a bit better drivers, you have dizts and morons regardless if they have hanging appendages...I think the smallere the lower apendage the worse driver and better the tempertantrum are.... LOL
  
  I swear in the coming years if you do not have government approved insurance you will be breaking the law!! And I am not talking about driving!
  

  Ah modern gaming its like modern film only the watering down of fiction and characters is replaced with shallow and watered down mechanics, gimmicks and shiny-er "people".

  14.7.2009 16:21 #28

• varnull

  hahaha.. damn right Zippy.. govt insurance.. like soldiers get?,, we pay to fly you home and dump you on welfare if you get your legs blown off?
  Right now as it stands she went up to her neck in it and sustained some scratches.. direct blood-sewage contamination... she's a walking health hazard.. make her pay for every jab under the sun and then isolate her for 6 months to make sure....
  
  Sorry guys.. I had a nasty job interview earlier today and though I won every point there was to be scored it's left me in a bit of a fractious mood.. will take my HRT and chill for a while.
  

  
  
  Free open source software = made by end users who want an application to work.
  I would rather you hate me for who I am than love me for what I am not.
  “It is poor civic hygiene to install technologies that could someday facilitate a police state.” - Bruce Schneier

  14.7.2009 16:53 #29

• ZippyDSM

  Originally posted by varnull: hahaha.. damn right Zippy.. govt insurance.. like soldiers get?,, we pay to fly you home and dump you on welfare if you get your legs blown off?
  
  Sorry guys.. I had a nasty job interview earlier today and though I won every point there was to be scored it's left me in a bit of a fractious mood.. will take my HRT and chill for a while.No no its government mandated/approved from select insurance companies, you have to pay whatever the company wants and the company can cover whatever it wants, the government just sits back and gets the regulatory fees!
  

  Ah modern gaming its like modern film only the watering down of fiction and characters is replaced with shallow and watered down mechanics, gimmicks and shiny-er "people".

  14.7.2009 16:56 #30

• varnull

  now that's more of the same.. as usual.. they have to get their cut.. would somebody like to petition Obushma about that little scam?
  

  
  
  Free open source software = made by end users who want an application to work.
  I would rather you hate me for who I am than love me for what I am not.
  “It is poor civic hygiene to install technologies that could someday facilitate a police state.” - Bruce Schneier

  14.7.2009 16:57 #31

• ZippyDSM

  Originally posted by varnull: now that's more of the same.. as usual.. they have to get their cut.. would somebody like to petition Obushma about that little scam?its the prefect setup, you have new criminals, government gets to double dip and big business can do what it wants.
  
  Bama wont make it illegal to not have insurance but hell the lobbyist will tear anything worthwhile in government apart....
  

  Ah modern gaming its like modern film only the watering down of fiction and characters is replaced with shallow and watered down mechanics, gimmicks and shiny-er "people".

  14.7.2009 17:17 #32

• DXR88

  I dunno, I got a heavy Foot and some serious Shifting Skills. if ya see a faded White 1974 Ford Ranchero. I would move its worth your while trust me.

  14.7.2009 19:15 #33

• Gnawnivek

  Originally posted by beanos66: 100% the sewage workers fault that's why they have barriers and signs, which are supposed to be erected before removing the cover.
  
  people ask what if she'd walked in front of a vehicle, I say that's what kerbs are for
  
  and my own what if... the person who fell in the hole was blind?The texting girl is the blinded one here. Does it matter if there are signs if she's not paying attention anyway? I'm not saying lack of signs is okay, but like all of the accidents in the world, people just have to be careful (it takes at least two parties to get into accidents, in this case the manhole will not yield to you, so it's up to you to avoid it). I have seen plenty of drivers rely on other drivers to cover their mistakes. You don't need to believe in Karma to realize that accidents will happen for your continuous recklessness actions (you, as in general public).
  
  As for the blinds, they can't see the warning signs anyway (they won't fall down the manhole trust me on that, i have seem blind people taking Subways, they're normal as normal people can be).

  17.7.2009 10:02 #34

• Shinraboy

  She's an idiot contributing to the bad image youth culture has. Being a bunch of drones texting. I mean GOD! Who the hell texts without looking around, especially in NY?

  17.7.2009 11:19 #35

• ChiefBrdy

  I gotta go with Longueira on this one. Whether she was texting, talking to a friend walking with her, looking at a spaceship in the sky or simply looking straight ahead, and not down. There is no excuse for having a gaping hole in the middle of the sidewalk without a barrier.
  
  Every single one of us have walked without looking at the ground all the time. We naturally expect the earth to be under our feet. I'm sorry, this is the city's fault 100%
  
  It's a story though because she was texting. Had she been looking at a college term paper, the media would have categorized her as a victim.

  17.7.2009 11:27 #36

• z9999

  Just wait until she gets a drivers license.

  17.7.2009 11:36 #37

• Shinraboy

  Quote:Had she been looking at a college term paper, the media would have categorized her as a victim.Quote:Just wait until she gets a drivers license.Thats exactly my point. So what if there were no cones. It's about being aware of your own safety and just general awareness. On the road theres no cones between drivers. She could seriously hurt herself or worse cause someone to lose their life due to being so careless. Whether she was texting or looking at a college term paper is irrelevant. The same could be done in a car, no excuse either way. She was oblivious.
  
  We all have walked around looking straight ahead because common sense tells us to. It's also common sense that mistakes and accidents can happen at any time. That's why we have to stay on our toes and not rely on typical circumstances.

  17.7.2009 11:46 #38

• ChiefBrdy

  Quote:Quote:Had she been looking at a college term paper, the media would have categorized her as a victim.Quote:Just wait until she gets a drivers license.Thats exactly my point. So what if there were no cones. It's about being aware of your own safety and just general awareness. On the road theres no cones between drivers. She could seriously hurt herself or worse cause someone to lose their life due to being so careless. Whether she was texting or looking at a college term paper is irrelevant. The same could be done in a car, no excuse either way. She was oblivious.
  
  We all have walked around looking straight ahead because common sense tells us to. It's also common sense that mistakes and accidents can happen at any time. That's why we have to stay on our toes and not rely on typical circumstances.Common sense does not come into play in this incident. There is nothing common about an open hole in a sidewalk without a barrier. You car scenario is flawed. On the road, we expect other cars to be coming and going. On a sidewalk, we expect there to be ground, not holes.
  
  Let's you're driving down the highway on a lonely stretch of road in AZ. You're doing 70mph and approach a hill. Just below that hill is a giant hole 10 feet from your car. You have no choice but to drive right into it. Why weren't you more cautious? Why didn't you stop at the top of the hill to make sure there weren't any holes? Because you expected there to be concrete under your tires.
  
  A hole in a pedestrian sidewalk without barriers is not normal. Us humans proceed with our lives based on certain expectations. Having solid ground to walk on is about as fundamental as it gets.
  
  I'm not saying the girl shouldn't have been more careful. But it could have happened to anyone.

  17.7.2009 12:23 #39

• DXR88

  Quote:Let's you're driving down the highway on a lonely stretch of road in AZ. You're doing 70mph And texting and approach a hill. Just below that hill is a giant hole 10 feet from your car. You have no choice but to drive right into it. Why weren't you more cautious? Why didn't you stop at the top of the hill to make sure there weren't any holes? Because you expected there to be concrete under your tires.its not about expecting there to be ground, its about impairing your surrounding so much you fall into a manhole.
  
  what if she wasn't teeheeing while texting would she still have fallen to the hole i doubt it
  

  
  

  17.7.2009 12:35 #40

• Shinraboy

  touché, ChiefBrdy
  
  ^_^
  
  I suppose it could have happened to anyone. I don't know I had a similar experience. I pressed a button for the elevator in my building to come up. Coincidently, I was on the phone when the door opened. The elevator door opened and there was no floor. I came just an inch away from falling 9 floors to my untimely, though very anecdotal death. Fortunately my eyes were free enough to react.
  
  Just advice to this poor girl (cause really, as funny as the report is, falling in a manhole is enough to ruin your whole day) and to everyone here. Accidents happen. People slip up and are careless and forget to post signs. Sometimes the signs are on the way. Just keep an eye open.

  17.7.2009 12:35 #41

• Gnawnivek

  Bah! It's all flawed... holes or not, it doesn't matter. For one, the manhole is not big enough to block your way (go around it). For two, the manhole cover can be lifted or stolen by anyone (hence don't expect signs or cones). And lastly, for goodness sake, even there's no hole, you shouldn't be careless, because shits happen (OT, if you own dogs, please pick up their poos, thank you).
  
  In a perfect world, one shouldn't watch out for anything when texting, reading, watching TV, surfing net while walking (Wall-E anyone?)

  17.7.2009 12:39 #42

• Shinraboy

  Quote:Bah! It's all flawed... holes or not, it doesn't matter. For one, the manhole is not big enough to block your way (go around it). For two, the manhole cover can be lifted or stolen by anyone (hence don't expect signs or cones). And lastly, for goodness sake, even there's no hole, you shouldn't be careless, because shits happen (OT, if you own dogs, please pick up their poos, thank you).
  
  In a perfect world, one shouldn't watch out for anything when texting, reading, watching TV, surfing net while walking (Wall-E anyone?)
  
  
  Here Here lol

  17.7.2009 12:49 #43

• garmoon

  change of heart nevermind

  17.7.2009 13:03 #44

• LordRaxa

  why are people consumed by texting? I say seeing is a priority above texting, look up every 3 seconds or so.
  Reminded me of this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D31GgeZHaWI

  17.7.2009 17:14 #45

• KillerBug

  A transcript of her texts:
  LOL
  Yeah
  OMG@
  WTF!
  Im n poo

  18.7.2009 06:34 #46