Man Falls 30 Feet, Suffers Only Cuts, Bruises

August 24, 2009

According to a recent article in the New York Post, a man in Tribeca fell through a hole in the ground after a door gave way. The man, Vincent Riggio, fell nearly 30 feet, but when he was rescued by firefighters with a rope and harness, it was discovered that he suffered only minor cuts and bruises.

Riggio had just exited an off-track betting parlor to smoke a cigar. Witnesses said that his cigar and racing form were still outside the hole as he was hoisted out. Riggio fell through a rusted-out metal plate to a basement below.

When Riggio was discovered, he was squatting in a layer of dust. A deliveryman called 911, while Riggio calmly called his wife to explain the situation. A fireman was lowered into the hole, so that he could fit Riggio with a harness and then the two were lifted out to safety. Riggio is currently being treated for his cuts, bruises, and minor trauma at St. Vincent’s hospital.