Man Falls Through Rusted Sidewalk Plate

MYFOXNY.COM - A man walked away with only scratches and bruises after falling 30 feet below the sidewalk when a rusted-out metal plate gave out.

It happened Saturday afternoon on Murray Street in TriBeCa.

Vincent Riggio was smoking a cigar when the plate failed, sending him plunging into the hole.

A witness called 9-1-1.  The New York Post reported that Riggio made his own call...to his wife to let her know what happened at that he was ok.

When help arrived, a firefighter was lowered by rope into the hole and helped fit a harness around Riggio, who was hoisted up.

Riggio is related to the founder of the Barnes & Noble bookstore chain.

Riggio was treated at St. Vincent's Hospital.