ALLAN Deith had just stepped outside into the backyard when he spotted it. A five-metre deep, two-and-a-half metre wide gaping hole had opened up in the grass.
‘‘I went over to have a look, but when I couldn’t see the bottom I backed off,’’ the 89-year-old said.
He retreated to the safety of his North Lambton home and told his wife Lola, 84, what he had discovered.
‘‘He looked like he was in shock, his face was pale,’’ Mrs Deith said.
‘‘I thought it must be a big hole.’’
The large sinkhole, which appeared unexpectedly about 2pm on Friday, is believed to be the result of mine subsidence in the area.
The State Emergency Service were called and roped off the hole before the Mine Subsidence Board arrived to investigate.
‘‘A Mine Subsidence Board representative showed us the map of where the underground mine is and we are just on the edge of it,’’ Mrs Deith said.
‘‘We’ve been told that its close to the house so be prepared for anything. ‘‘But they think it is going away from the house and towards the fence.’’
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The hole was covered with timber on Friday night and will is expected to be filled in on Saturday morning.
Mrs Deith said she was told by the Mine Subsidence Board that recent rain and the April storms may have contributed to loosening up the soil.
The appearance of the hole comes after two sinkholes appeared within hours of each other at Swansea Heads in May last year. That site was also over the top of an abandoned underground mine.
source:theherald.com
STUDIO 3 NEWCASTLE AUSTRALIA 