by Joe Jeffrey
Caravanners evacuated after emergence of football-sized sinkhole
Caravanners have been evacuated from a picturesque coastal campsite after a vast sinkhole opened and swallowed vehicles including a caravan.
The sinkhole, estimated to be around the size of a football pitch, emerged at the popular campsite, located at Inskip Point in the state of Queensland shortly before midnight on Saturday, instantly swallowing a car, truck and caravan.
Around 150 caravanners were evacuated from the site, known to have had previous sinkholes, following a quick response from authorities.
One caravanner told Queensland’s Channel Nine news station: “There was lots of yelling and screaming and then a caravan went over the edge. It was pretty scary.”
Local towing company, Clayton’s Towing took to Facebook to explain how two employees also witnessed the sinkhole emerge, before fleeing for their lives upon hearing a noise described as being “like a storm.”
“On looking they realised the sand was rapidly disappearing into the ocean at a amazing speed,” a company representative said. “They only just got their 4wds and caravans out with seconds to spare as their campsite disappeared three metres down into the ocean. A 4wd, large caravan, camper trailer, tents etc on the site next to them all got swallowed into the ocean.”
It is thought the sinkhole, measuring approximately 450 feet long and 330 feet wide, could expand. Queensland’s Parks and Wildlife staff have since cordoned off the area to prevent vehicle and pedestrian access. Caravanners have been urged to avoid the area, with senior ranger, Dan Clifton, saying: “There is a real possibility the hole could expand with ocean currents, so people are urged to avoid the area. While we continue to assess the situation, our priority is public safety.”
