About 70 Orthodox Schoolgirls Accidentally Enter New York Drainage System on Field Trip

About 70 girls from an Orthodox Jewish school in Monsey, New York, accidentally entered a drainage and sewer system while on a park outing in nearby Nyack. According to reports in the New York Post and CBS, the students from Toras Emes made their way out near a downtown restaurant after walking through the dark network underground.

Police were called after an officer saw a large number of young girls emerging from a manhole in an alley by the restaurant. Other girls came out through additional manholes elsewhere in Nyack. The New York Post reported that all of the students got out on their own and none was seriously hurt.

Nyack Mayor Joe Rand told CBS the girls saw the drain and a cave-like opening, decided to explore, and kept walking. He said they traveled roughly 800 meters through the drainage channel, over rocks and uneven ground, before finding a safe exit at a local restaurant. Rand said he will review safety measures at the site and reminded residents and visitors that drainage systems are not meant for recreation or sightseeing.

The restaurant owner, Matt Hudson, said he was shocked when he saw the girls emerging from the sewer. He said he was in his office when he heard children chatting, then saw them climbing out of a drain opening above a stream in the restaurant’s back courtyard. Hudson said the girls were fine, though excited to be out.