Whitchurch canal sinkhole: Major incident declared in Shropshire as 10 people rescued from narrowboats days before Christmas
A major incident has been declared after a massive sinkhole opened under a canal in Shropshire.
At least 10 people were rescued from narrow boats after the crater, approximately 50 meters by 50 meters in size, started to develop in the Whitchurch Chemical field at 04.22.
When the water completely drained from the section of the canal where they were anchored, fire crews were called to save the contents of the three narrow boats.
Two narrowboats fell into the hole today and remain stranded on the canal bed, while one continues to dangle over the edge.
Crews struggled on ‘unstable ground and fast-moving water’ as they began to rescue more than 10 members of the public.
The canal bank collapsed and large amounts of water escaped into the surrounding land.
While emergency services intervened in the incident, citizens were warned to stay away from the area.
A ‘multi-agency’ response has since been established but no injuries have been reported.
Councilor Andy Hall, who represents Whitchurch North, said the focus would be on dealing with people evacuated from the scene.
A 50 meter by 50 meter sinkhole has opened in a canal in Shropshire
The damage caused to two boats stuck at the bottom of the sinkhole was seen from the air
Firefighters took action to rescue about 10 crew members from canal boats as the sinkhole opened
Water quickly receded from the section of the canal where three narrowboats were moored
3 boats were stranded in the section of the canal that was completely drained by water.
‘We have a team looking at how we house and care for these 14 residents,’ he said.
‘It’s Christmas, so all their stuff, their lives are there, and it’s our job at this time of year to put our arms around them and look after them. This is our priority.’
A canal boat resident has told how he miraculously escaped after his boat was swallowed by a sinkhole.
Bob Wood, 75, was sleeping here shortly before the canal boat was pulled into the giant hole in the Llangollen Canal at around 4am today.
Mr Wood, who has lived on the boat for eight years, only connected to the site last night.
He described how he woke up and had to escape from the boat that had landed in the giant hole.
He said: ‘I was asleep on the boat and thought I needed to go to the toilet so I got up and thought ‘we’re bending over a bit’.
‘I thought I was in the middle of a big storm, there was so much water noise.
‘I opened the back door to see why we were tilting and realized it wasn’t raining, there was water flowing under the boat.
‘I jumped back and got off and at that moment that piece started to come down.
‘The back end rose 8 feet into the air and I landed in front of me.’
Following the incident this morning, three boats were stranded and two were in the ditch.
Aerial images show the point where water gushed out of the canal and trapped two boats in the ditch.
After most of the canal was drained, floodwaters spilled into a nearby field
The pictures show the damage to one of the boats left in the sinkhole.
Sinkhole caused large amounts of water to escape onto land in the Chemistry area of Whitchurch
Mr Wood said he immediately went to the next boat to knock on the boat to warn them to wake up.
He said: ‘He went out very quickly and his boat sank.
‘My boat sank bow first and his went stern first.’
Mr Wood said he couldn’t see anything because it was all black at the time, adding: ‘All I could hear was the sound of running water.’
Commander Hall said those on the boats described the incident as ‘like an earthquake’.
He added: ‘It was very bad for people on the canal boats at that time of the morning.
‘They described it as feeling like an earthquake.
‘We lost a few boats, one of which is currently at the bottom of the pit.
‘One of them is teetering on the edge and could slide down at any moment. More have fallen since we got here this morning.
‘Fire and rescue teams are at the scene. Their biggest concern this morning was making sure everyone was safe and off their boats.’
Cllr Hall praised the fire service for their ‘quick thinking’ which prevented a potential disaster for the nearby town.
Water gates were quickly erected by the fire department to prevent further flood water from reaching surrounding fields and the city centre.
Cllr Hall added: ‘It could be a lot worse than it is now.
‘No one was injured, everyone is safe and well and we are currently looking after 14 people living on the boats.
‘It was very scary for them; This is their home and where they live.’
The canal bank collapsed and a large amount of water escaped into the surrounding land
Councilor Andy Hall said the council would look into housing boaters who lost their homes just days before Christmas
Three boats remained at the bottom of the pit, while others were stranded at the bottom of the canal.
Liberal Democrat Councilor Sho Abdul said it was “an absolute miracle” that there were no casualties.
Mr Abdul, who represents Whitchurch West on behalf of Shropshire Council, said: ‘At around 4.45am the fire brigade and river trust were alerted to the sinkhole.
‘Obviously there was a reduction in water levels and you can see the impact of what happened.
‘There were 3-4 canal boats affected by the rapidly occurring sinkhole.
‘Thank goodness no one was injured. It is a miracle that there was no loss of life.
‘I’d like to thank the fire brigade, police and River and Canal Trust for everything they did this morning.
‘They are great at keeping the area safe and making sure no one gets hurt.
‘We were so shocked it was as if an explosive had gone off.
‘This is a complete crater, it is especially devastating for people who use this area frequently.
‘I walk my dogs here and I know a lot of people will want to do that around Christmas, it’s very sad.
‘But more importantly it is incredible that no one was injured.
‘The most important thing is to assess the situation further down the channel and make sure there is no further impact.’
A boat is seen coming dangerously close to the edge of the sinkhole
Shortly after the disaster, a water gate was installed to prevent further water flooding into the area below the sinkhole
Fire crews were joined by West Mercia Police, West Midlands Ambulance Service (including HART), Canal & River Trust, Environment Agency, local authority emergency planning officers and National Resilience.
A spokesperson for Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘Firefighters are working in challenging conditions with unstable ground and fast moving water; ‘Teams immediately established upstream and downstream safety sectors and began reducing water flow using barge boards and water gate systems.’
Area Manager Scott Hurford added: ‘We can confirm that no-one was on board the affected canal boats and no injuries have been reported.
‘Approximately 12 residents living on moored boats nearby are being supported and moved to an outreach center at the former Whitchurch Police Station.
‘A major incident was declared at 5.17am but as of 8.30am the situation was stable, water flow had reduced and there was no search and rescue activity ongoing.
‘Multi-agency involvement continues to manage environmental impact, protect nearby properties and ensure public safety. ‘Please avoid the area as we continue to deal with this important incident.’
Paul Donnelly, of Middlewich-based Floating Holidays, came to assess the scene due to concerns about the impact on the canal.
He said the canal was a ‘huge focal point for tourism’ and the sinkhole would have a major long-term impact on businesses using the canal.
He said the route is known to attract people from all over the world.
Join the discussion
What does this sinkhole disaster reveal about the state of our infrastructure and our emergency planning?
Paul Donnelly, of Middlewich-based Floating Holidays, said the sinkhole would have a major long-term impact on local businesses
As a result of water coming from the canal, flooding occurred in the nearby field.
The Canal and River Trust (CRT) notified boaters and residents that an emergency closure has been issued along the canal.
A CRT spokesperson said: ‘Please note that due to an incident there is an emergency closure between Lock 6 Grindley Locks and Bridge 31A, Whitchurch By-Pass bridge.
‘Please do not approach from either direction; We will provide an update in due course.’
A spokesman for West Mercia Police said: ‘A major incident has been declared in Shropshire following reports of a sinkhole affecting a drain in the Whitchurch Chemical area.
‘Emergency services are currently on scene and a multi-agency response has been established, coordinated through the Shropshire Tactical Coordination Group (TCG).
No casualties have been reported at this time and residents are being assisted by the fire department.
‘We would ask people to avoid the area and seek alternative routes. Further updates will be provided when we are able to do so.’
