Toyota in Essex plunges into sinkhole as Storm Ciara continues to cause chaos
A Toyota car has plunged nose-first into a sinkhole that opened up on a suburban street following heavy wind and rain from Storm Ciara.
The massive hole appeared in the early hours of Monday morning as the storm raged, wreaking havoc across the UK with winds of up to 97mph, causing cancelled flights, rail services and sporting events including a Premier League game.
Pictures from Hatch Road in Brentwood, Essex, show what appears to be a Toyota almost completely submerged in the huge hole.
Emergency services can also be seen at the scene, where the occupants of six properties were evacuated due to “unstable ground”.
Local Ollie Watson, 50, said he didn't hear the crash – which happened just down the street – and only went to investigate after his daughter mentioned a disturbance outside at around 2.30am.
He said: "I thought it was a road accident at first. We didn't hear it. Our daughter heard a bit of a commotion.
"We then thought that the fire brigade had cut the car in half – but it was actually just sticking out of the hole.
"It's very unusual. My neighbours were out there, and a few people from across the road.”
There was no one in the car at the time it fell into the sinkhole, authorities said.
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said: “Firefighters were called to Hatch Road, Pilgrims Hatch, at 01:34am after reports that a road had partially collapsed.
“On arrival, crews reported that the hole extended into the road and a car was trapped.
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“Six properties were evacuated due to unstable ground.
“Crews worked to make the scene safe by 3:53am before leaving it in the care of Anglian Water and Essex and Suffolk Water.”
This morning an Anglian Water spokesperson said: “We are currently onsite on Hatch Road, Pilgrims Hatch, in Brentwood investigating a sink hole which has opened up in the road.
“We are working with other utilities (water and gas) plus the local police to assess if any of our pipes have been damaged.”