Brooklyn Woman Swallowed Up By Sidewalk

A Greenpoint woman encountered a damaged sidewalk this weekend on her way to the marathon. A sidewalk so damaged, in fact, that it swallowed her whole! According to the Brooklyn Paper, Philippa Kaye walked right into the 3.5-foot deep hole, located at Flatbush and 5th Avenues in Brooklyn. She has photos, and she does not look happy in them (though one has to wonder how, in broad daylight, a person does not see a hole that large).

She told the paper, “The fact that it had no cover or anything on it to warn people was unique. It should be dealt with immediately. At night, someone can really break their leg.” A local says the ditch has been there for over a month, and has "become part of the landscape." (Even Google Maps shows that something has been going on at that corner.)

Once the Department of Environmental Protection saw photos (and heard the hole was about to get its first headline), they said they would fix it today. Perhaps instead of calling 311 for complaints, people should be contacting the press to get things done.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Carlson in News on November 9, 2010 9:50 AM

Comments [rss]

robingee

She looks like that Sidewalk Rat. Quick, PhotoShop hr standing at a bar or something!

meknow

This woman should never ever leave the city and its safe and manicured environment. Camping or hiking is a no-no!

hsilman

No mention of the Shel Silverstein picture yet?

Crapola

Doesn't look very wide. I doubt she fell in, unless she walks like a geisha girl.

andred

For the record, this hole was formerly covered up by a traffic cone that had been turned upside down and inserted into the hole. Brooklyn's finest work, if you ask me.

cz

Was it only a year ago the rat was in the sidewalk -

http://gothamist.com/2009/10/24/sad_rat_in_sidewalk_forever.php?

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

that's sad. :( RIP rat

chuzzlewit

philippa. quit screwin' around.

ShadowCat

The first line should read, "A Greenpoint woman encountered a damaged sidewalk this weekend on her way to the marathon... and saw imaginary sacks of cash in the form of a lawsuit."

jaycjay

If that were the case, why didn't she claim that she fell into the hole?

Bear At A Picnic Table

Why is Dave Mustaine standing in the hole?

Guest

It's the new Megadeth album cover.

eflash

+1

jibbly

hahahahahahahaha

Wza

lol

dr zippy

I'm confused by The Brooklyn Paper. They write that the hole swallowed Kay "whole", yet they also write, and the accompanying photo shows, Kaye standing in the hole "up to her waist" and that the "hole is about three-and-a-half-feet deep".

Which is it? Did she fit in the hole all the way or just to her waist? Or perhaps she does not have legs???