Borough Park Boy Falls Into Manhole. Councilman Greenfield Demands Investigation

Two Verizon workers rescued a 10-year old boy after he fell into a sewage manhole yesterday morning in Borough Park. It’s not clear whether or not the manhole was uncovered or if the lid was just cracked and weak. The event prompted a call from Councilman David Greenfield to investigate how the boy fell in.

“First and foremost, I am relieved that this child only suffered minor injuries and will make a full recovery,” Greenfield said in a letter issued by his office. “Obviously this incident could have had a much worst outcome, which is why we need to immediately look into the city’s response.”

According to the letter from Greenfield’s office, the Department of Environmental Protection, the agency responsible for operating the city’s sewer lines, received a 311 complaint about an exposed manhole about 10 minutes before the boy fell in, leading Greenfield to call for an investigation into how the DEP and the NYPD responded.

According to the Daily News, the boy fell down the equivalent of two stories, or 20 feet.

When [the boy] tumbled into a city sewer tunnel near the intersection of 13th Ave. and 49th St. in Borough Park about 8:40 a.m., Verizon workers Mike Kroski and Tom Prestia, who were nearby, sprung into action, police sources and the two good Samaritans told the Daily News.

Moshe, who lives not far from where the accident happened, stayed “calm” as he clung to a ladder inside the watery tunnel, Kroski said. He was trying to climb out of the tunnel when the two Verizon workers were able to reach him and help him back onto the street.

Greenfield praised the two Verizon workers, Mike Kroski and Tom Prestia, for their quick response. He also thanked members of the Jewish police, Hatzolah.