Dog Walker Injured After Falling Through Loose Manhole Cover

A 21-year-old woman was injured after stepping onto a loose manhole cover that collapsed beneath her in Cuiabá, Brazil. The incident occurred on the evening of Sunday, 17 May, while she was walking her dog along the pavement.

Details of the Incident and Immediate Aftermath

Juliana Mara Schiel was walking her dog, Pitu, when one paving slab, indistinguishable from the others, suddenly gave way under her weight, causing her to fall into the manhole. Pitu remained on the pavement, barking in distress as the woman fell.

Juliana described her initial reaction to local media, saying it took her a few moments to comprehend what had happened. “It didn’t feel real. I was really confused. The first thing I did when I managed to grab my phone was call my mum,” she said.

After realizing she was injured, Juliana called for help and was rescued by passers-by approximately two to three minutes later. She recounted, “I think I was there for about two or three minutes before help arrived, but it all happened very quickly.”

Injuries and Recovery

The fall resulted in Juliana breaking teeth and sustaining multiple injuries. She was taken to hospital, where she received stitches to her chin and mouth. She also reported ongoing pain in her shoulder, a twisted ankle, and scrapes and bruises across her body.

Currently, Juliana is limited to eating soft, cold foods while recovering from her mouth injuries. She credited her dog, Pitu, with aiding her rescue, stating, “I think she helped people notice because she was on a lead and stayed close by.”

Municipal Response and Safety Measures

Following the event, Cuiabá’s Department of Infrastructure and Public Works issued a statement assuring that the affected area would be properly signposted on Monday afternoon, 18 May, to ensure pedestrian and driver safety.

The department also noted that between 2025 and 2026, approximately 500 manhole covers had been replaced or reinstalled by the municipality, primarily due to structural damage and breakage.

Reflection on the Incident

Despite the injuries, Juliana considers herself fortunate. After reviewing the CCTV footage, she remarked, “I thought it could have been much worse. If it had been a child or an elderly person, the consequences might have been even more serious.”