Stretch of canal dammed off after ‘sinkhole’ leaves 10 needing rescue
A major incident was declared after reports of a hole emerging along the Shropshire waterway in the early hours of Monday morning.
Part of a canal in Shropshire has been dammed off after a large “sinkhole” left more than 10 people needing rescue.
A major incident was declared after reports at 4.22am on Monday of a hole emerging along the waterway causing large volumes of water to escape onto land in the Chemistry area of Whitchurch.
Emergency services were at the scene after the breach on the Llangollen Canal near New Mills Lift Bridge.
West Mercia Police said in a statement: “There are currently no reports of any casualties, and residents are being assisted by the fire service.”
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said that three boats were caught in a developing sinkhole approximately 50 metres by 50 metres in size and that more than 10 people were helped to safety.
Fire service area manager Scott Hurford said: “We can confirm no persons are believed to be on board the affected canal boats, and no injuries have been reported.
“Approximately 12 residents from nearby moored boats are being supported and relocated to a welfare centre at the former Whitchurch police station.
“A major incident was declared at 5.17am, however as of 8.30am the situation was stable with water flow reduced and there is no ongoing search-and-rescue activity.
“Multi-agency attendance remains in place to manage the environmental impact, protect nearby properties, and ensure public safety. Please avoid the area while we continue to deal with this significant incident.”
The Canal & River Trust said its teams were at the site and that the impacted section of the canal had been dammed off.
It said: “We are carrying out initial investigations into the possible cause of the breach and will provide more details in due course.
“We will also seek to return water levels either side of the breach as soon as possible and are providing support to the boaters affected and those in the immediate area either side of the breach.”
Speaking to the Press Association close to the scene of the breach, Mr Hurford said it was extremely fortunate that no one was injured during the “unusual” incident.
He said of the narrow boat residents: “It’s my understanding that they recognised the water level was dropping and started to do their own evacuation and raised the emergency services.
“When we came on scene we then supported the evacuation of those narrow boats.”
The fire service area manager added: “We are used to flooding and we are experienced and knowledgeable in that, but not necessarily from the canal network.
“Pathways either side (of the canal) are used regularly by the community.
“It’s very, very fortunate that there was no one at that particular moment walking a dog or walking along the footpath.”
