ALTON, Ill.—A significant sinkhole has engulfed the heart of a soccer complex constructed above an active limestone mine in southern Illinois, collapsing a large light pole and creating a massive cavity where children’s teams usually play. Fortunately, no injuries were reported following the sinkhole’s sudden appearance on Wednesday morning.
“No one was on the field at the time and no one was hurt, and that’s the most important thing,” Alton Mayor David Goins told The (Alton) Telegraph.
Security footage capturing the rapid formation of the sinkhole shows a soccer field light pole vanishing into the ground, along with benches and synthetic turf at Gordon Moore Park in the city.
The sinkhole is believed to be at least 100 feet (30.5 meters) wide and up to 50 feet (15.2 meters) deep, as per Michael Haynes, the city’s director of parks and recreation.
“It was surreal. Kind of like a movie where the ground just falls out from underneath you,” Mr. Haynes told KMOV-TV.
The park and its surrounding roads have been closed indefinitely.
Related Stories
New Frontier Materials Bluff City attributed the sinkhole to “surface subsidence” at its underground mine in the city, located approximately 25 miles (40 kilometers) north of St. Louis along the Mississippi River.
The incident was reported to the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration, as per company spokesperson Matt Barkett. He informed The Associated Press that the limestone mine is situated about 170 feet (52 meters) below ground, and it is his understanding that it extends beneath the city park where the sinkhole emerged.
“The affected area has been secured and will remain off-limits for the foreseeable future while inspectors and experts assess the mine and carry out necessary repairs,” Mr. Barkett stated. “We will collaborate with the city to address this matter promptly and safely to minimize the impact on the community.”
Mr. Haynes mentioned that the method of repairing the sinkhole is uncertain, but it is likely that engineers and geologists will be involved in evaluating the stability of the ground and surrounding areas.
