Woman seriously hurt in fall as Manhattan sidewalk collapses

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, Manhattan (WABC) -- A sidewalk collapsed beneath a woman in Washington Heights sending her several feet below the ground - now, the incident has neighborhood residents freaking out.

The woman fell at least six feet just before 8 a.m. Saturday on 537 West 158th Street.

The woman was standing next to her husband when all of a sudden she was gone. The fall was at least six feet. Witnesses say the victim's husband tried to catch her, and neighbors say they heard her crying in pain.

Firefighters had to pull the woman out of the hole. She was taken to Harlem Hospital where she is in serious but stable condition.

The NYC Buildings Department placed a partial vacate order for the sidewalk and cellar vault at 537 West 158th Street and neighboring 541 East 158th Street. No other sections of the buildings and no apartment units were affected by the vacate order. Violations were also issued to both properties for a failure to maintain the sidewalk and cellars.

The Buildings Department reports that the owners of 537 West 158th Street hired a contractor to perform shoring work at the affected sidewalk area.