A soccer field in an Illinois park was dramatically transformed into a gaping sinkhole, following what is believed to be an underground mine collapse.
The incident, which was captured on surveillance footage, occurred at Gordon Moore Park in Alton, leaving a 100-foot wide, 30-foot deep chasm in its wake, according to The New York Post.
The sinkhole emerged suddenly between the park's two soccer fields, swallowing up seats and a light pole in mere seconds. The area affected was typically occupied by players on the sidelines. Thankfully, no one was present on the field when the incident occurred.
Alton Parks and Recreation Director Michael Haynes expressed his relief at the absence of people during the incident, stating, I cant imagine if there were a bunch of people out here. Were fortunate." He further described the aftermath as resembling a scene from a movie, saying, "It looks like something out of a movie. It looks like a bomb went off."
The city's officials suspect that the sinkhole resulted from a collapse in an underground mine run by New Frontier Materials. The company has reported the incident to the Mine Safety Health Administration and is collaborating with the city to address the issue.
In a statement, New Frontier Materials emphasized its commitment to safety, saying, "The impacted area has been secured and will remain off limits for the foreseeable future while inspectors and experts examine the mine and conduct repairs. Safety is our top priority."
In response to the incident, the city has temporarily closed the park and postponed all scheduled events. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers lurking beneath the surface, even in the most unexpected places.
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