Local residents have described a terrifying scene as a canal collapsed into a massive sinkhole, swallowing three boats and leaving the area in chaos.
Paul Smith, who was on a narrowboat just 90 metres from the collapse, said they woke to a “big crash” as water emptied into the sinkhole, causing cupboards and drawers to tip over.
The remarks follow a dramatic collapse in Shropshire, where a 50-metre-long sinkhole tore through a canal, leaving several narrowboats stranded.
Emergency services declared a major incident after being called at 4.22am on Monday, following reports that the sinkhole had released a large volume of water into the surrounding land in Whitchurch’s Chemistry area.
Speaking to GB News, Mr Smith said: “We’re actually on a narrowboat about 90 metres from the beach itself.
“We woke up at 4.20am with a big crash on the boat as it started tipping when the water emptied into the sinkhole.
“Everything was sliding out of cupboards and drawers were flying open.
“We got off the boat to investigate, and from the sound of the water we knew there must be a breach and there was.”
Paul Smith was on a narrowboat just 90 metres from the collapse
|
GB NEWS
West Mercia Police said in a statement: “There are currently no reports of any casualties, and residents are being assisted by the fire service.”
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said the incident involved “a significant breach” of the Shropshire Union Canal.
They said in a statement: “At about 4.22am, Fire Control received reports of a canal bank collapse with large volumes of water escaping into surrounding land.
“Crews form Whitchurch, Prees, Shrewsbury, Newport, Albrighton and Telford attended.”
The sinkhole opened in Whitchurch | SHROPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE
“Three boats had been caught in a developing sinkhole approximately 50 metres by 50 metres in size and crews helped more than 10 members of the public to safety.
“Firefighters have been working in challenging conditions with unstable ground and rapidly moving water, crews immediately established upstream and downstream safety sectors and began mitigating water flow using barge boards and water gate systems.
“We are working with our partners on scene, including West Mercia Police, West Midlands Ambulance Service, the Canal & River Trust, the Environment Agency, local authority emergency planning officers, and National Resilience.”
Mr Smith added: “We’ve had so much rain, this can happen.
“The canal is basically clay-lined and holds a large volume of water. Weeks of heavy rain can cause breaches.
“This is the third breach in three or four years, but we’ve never seen boats actually fall into the breach.
“It’s quite scary, the entire bottom of the canal has simply gone, and the water spilled out, taking the boats with it. It looks like it’s going to be a huge clear-up.
Martin asked: “Do you know how they will get the boats out?”
He responded: “I’m not sure. There’s a dam at one end of the canal and they’ll probably place one at this end to try to refloat the boats.
“But for those three boats, I don’t know how they’ll crane them out.
“We feel for the owners. Their Christmas is likely ruined, and they could be without a home for six months.”