The terrifying moment a high school football field suddenly collapsed into a huge sinkhole was captured on surveillance footage.
The gigantic crater was suddenly created Wednesday morning due to an “anomaly” beneath Gordon Moore Park in Alton, Illinois.
There were no injuries, but the shaft is estimated to have been at least 30 feet deep and 100 feet wide and swallowed an entire stadium lighthouse during its collapse.
The sinkhole is believed to have been caused by the partial collapse of a working underground mine that had a sinkhole on the surface.
Michael Haynes, director of the city’s parks and recreation department, he told CBS affiliate KMOV: ‘It was surreal. Kind of like a movie where the ground just falls out from under you.’
The sinkhole opened suddenly Wednesday morning at Gordon Moore Park in Alton, Illinois; there were no injuries
Haynes said: ‘The mines have been here and in this area for decades and decades.
‘It’s never been mentioned before, so I’m told it’s an anomaly. We will wait until the investigation is complete.
The shocking moment the sinkhole opened was captured by a surveillance camera.
In just a few seconds you can see the hole opening while the ground plummets.
One of the stadium’s tall lights sinks into the hole and then disappears completely as it is swallowed.
The sheets of artificial turf were left hanging over the edges of the pit while the solid ground beneath gave way.
The shocking moment when the sinkhole opened was captured by a surveillance camera
One of the stadium’s high beams sinks into the hole and then disappears completely as it is swallowed up before a cloud of dust appears.
Drone footage showed the extent of the damage, with large parts of the fields destroyed.
There was no one using the fields at the time and no injuries were reported.
The fields were added to the park in 2019 and cost $1 million to install.
Haynes said he doesn’t expect the city to have to pay for the repairs.
He said: “Hopefully we can find a solution and make plans together to move forward before we have our busy season here again.”
New Frontier Materials, the company that owns the mines, told KMOV that the affected area was secured.
Drone images showed the extent of the damage, as a large part of the fields was destroyed.
Sharing the news on Facebook, Alton Parks and Recreation said: ‘Gordon Moore Park is temporarily closed while the sinkhole investigation is completed.’
He said the area will be kept off-limits while inspectors and experts examine the mine and make repairs.
Sharing the news on Facebook, Alton Parks and Recreation said: ‘Gordon Moore Park is temporarily closed while the sinkhole investigation is completed.
‘All scheduled events within the park are canceled for today. We apologize for any inconvenience.’
Alton resident Richard Baird said the collapse will have a huge impact on locals.
“Thousands and thousands of people are affected by this. Parents and children who participate as athletes,” he told KMOV.
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