Local authorities are warning drivers to expect several days of disruption after a motorcycle struck a fire hydrant, leading to a water leak that washed away sediments beneath a major interchange, leading to a sinkhole that closed both roads. The motorcycle was reportedly being chased y the police when it hit the hydrant, having failed to stop after a traffic violation. The rider was taken to hospital with injuries described as ;serious but not life-threatening'.
Sinkhole in Wichita, Kansas, caused by a motorcycle crash. KSN.
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. Potash, a potassium salt, is readily soluble and can be dissolved
quickly if water gains access to deposits, leading to the rapid
formation of sinkholes.
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