One person had to be rescued by the Chicago Fire Department after a pickup truck was swallowed by a sinkhole on 95th Street in the South Side district of Chicago, slightly after 8.00 pm local time on Thursday 28 November 2013 (2.00 am on Friday 29 November, GMT). Two people were in the vehicle, which was in the eastbound lane near the junction with South Commercial Avenue when the sinkhole opened up beneath it. One person was able to escape without assistance, and neither was injured. Following the incident both lanes of 95th Street were closed for some time. The incident is being investigated by the Chicago Department of Transportation.
The vehicle trapped in the South Side sinkhole on Thursday 28 November 2013. Chicago Sun Times.
Sinkholes are generally caused by water eroding soft limestone or unconsolidated deposits from beneath, causing a hole that works its way upwards and eventually opening spectacularly at the surface. Where there are unconsolidated deposits at the surface they can infill from the sides, apparently swallowing objects at the surface, including people, without trace. It is thought likely that this sinkhole was caused by a burst water main.
The approximate location of the 28 November 2013 South Side sinkhole. Google Maps.
See also Homes destroyed by Florida sinkhole, US Marine killed by Missouri Sinkhole, Car swallowed by sinkhole in Indianapolis, Car and occupants swallowed by sinkhole in Oklahoma City and Florida holiday villa collapses into sinkhole.
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