Sinkholes Are Dangerous Because They Can Appear Anywhere…Including Your Own Yard

January 12, 2017 australia, dangerous, flooding, michael-cahill, mineshaft, old-mine, sink-hole, sinkhole, weather, weird

There’s a reason why people live in fear of the possibility of sinkholes: They can happen anywhere at pretty much any time. Oh, and they’re also merciless, swallowing everything in their path with no regard for life or property. The latest sinkhole victims? Lyn and Ray McKay of Ipswich, Australia.

The sinkhole first appeared in the elderly couple’s yard earlier this week.

The sinkhole that opened up in an Ipswich backyard yesterday has become larger overnight #TenNews pic.twitter.com/zV0Pqu7xym

— TEN News Queensland (@tennewsqld) August 3, 2016

The origin of the hole seems to be a poorly filled mineshaft from the early 1900s. According to local engineers, the hole goes down about 300 feet.

Ipswich sinkhole may grow, mining expert fears; authorities investigate cause https://t.co/27ndxfkwDk pic.twitter.com/4vTKZRxrkH

— ABC News Brisbane (@ABCNewsBrisbane) August 2, 2016

Since it opened up, the hole has filled with water and started to cave in.

‘Sinkhole’ opens up in Ipswich backyard https://t.co/JfnSd9xt2N via @brisbanetimes pic.twitter.com/zVBethiyFq

— Jesse McKenzie (@OnTheMac) August 2, 2016

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘VN_PG_DCI1_BTF’); });

Luckily, the town has stepped in to fix this sinkhole and keep it from spreading.

.@PaulPisasale on the case #Ipswich #SinkHole pic.twitter.com/8O3u3KDz5t

— Helen Spelitis (@HelenSpelitis) August 2, 2016

Still, even if it is under control, it’s terrifying to witness. Imagine falling into that.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHQGojs9ENQ?autoplay=0]

For more details, check this out.

(via The Daily Mail)

Let this be a warning that sinkholes are out there and they don’t care who they hurt. They’re just biding their time, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.