Woman rescued after falling through grate

(New York - WABC, May 17, 2007) (WABC) -- A woman was rescued after falling through a street grate in Midtown Manhattan this morning.

Officials say the woman, identified as 26-year-old Jessica Hinksman, fell through the grating outside 150 West 51st Street, near Seventh Avenue, just after 7:00 a.m.

Eyewitness News is told she fell approximately 10 feet into an electrical transformer vault.

It took nearly 20 minutes to rescue the woman from the sidewalk.

She was taken to Bellevue Hospital in stable condition.

"She had serious injuries, she was very scared," said Lt. Tom Donnelly with FDNY.

Eyewitness News' Jeff Rossen spoke to someone walking by the grate. "I walk over them so many times, it doesn't phase me anymore, now I'm going to think twice."

Con Ed tells Eyewitness News they haven't heard anything like this in years.

Two firefighers from rescue one jumped in the hole to get the victim out.

Officials offered no explanation how this incident happened or if other grates are at risk.

Con Ed crews remained late on the scene investigating why this happened. The grates are usually sealed so tight they need a tool to pull them up.

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