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Car falls down huge hole in street in Charlton, London | Car falls down huge hole in street in Charlton, London |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A car has fallen down a huge hole in a street in south-east London. | A car has fallen down a huge hole in a street in south-east London. |
The Vauxhall Zafira was left on Woodland Terrace in Charlton by Ghazi Hassan, who was visiting his brother on Wednesday night. | The Vauxhall Zafira was left on Woodland Terrace in Charlton by Ghazi Hassan, who was visiting his brother on Wednesday night. |
He said this "wasn't a good day" but was "thankful" his family were not hurt and no-one else was injured in the incident. | He said this "wasn't a good day" but was "thankful" his family were not hurt and no-one else was injured in the incident. |
BBC Radio London has reported speculation that the collapse could be due to recent heavy rain. | BBC Radio London has reported speculation that the collapse could be due to recent heavy rain. |
More on this story and other news from London | More on this story and other news from London |
The blue people carrier was discovered by police outside St Thomas' Church at about 03:20 BST. | The blue people carrier was discovered by police outside St Thomas' Church at about 03:20 BST. |
Mr Hassan said: "In life you have good days and bad days. This morning wasn't a good day. | Mr Hassan said: "In life you have good days and bad days. This morning wasn't a good day. |
"But I'm thankful me or my family wasn't in the car. | "But I'm thankful me or my family wasn't in the car. |
"I've told the insurance. They are coming to pick it up and repair it so that's the positive side, and that no-one was injured." | "I've told the insurance. They are coming to pick it up and repair it so that's the positive side, and that no-one was injured." |
Mr Ghazi's brother, Abdul Ahmadzai, said: "I woke up very surprised. The police were here about 4am so I came outside and saw the car - they said it was in a hole. | Mr Ghazi's brother, Abdul Ahmadzai, said: "I woke up very surprised. The police were here about 4am so I came outside and saw the car - they said it was in a hole. |
"I thought: 'There's nothing I can do' and went back to sleep. I just woke up again now." | "I thought: 'There's nothing I can do' and went back to sleep. I just woke up again now." |
The Reverend Erica Wooff, the rector of Charlton, who lives next door to the church, said her initial reaction was: "Oh my goodness, there's a hole in the road". | |
"There was a massive storm last night. It has been raining constantly for the past two days but I didn't hear tarmac rip open," she said. | "There was a massive storm last night. It has been raining constantly for the past two days but I didn't hear tarmac rip open," she said. |
'Resting on pipe' | 'Resting on pipe' |
Resident Cleo O'Kane, 25, said she heard a loud bang during the night. | Resident Cleo O'Kane, 25, said she heard a loud bang during the night. |
"It was raining so much I thought it was thunder," she said. | "It was raining so much I thought it was thunder," she said. |
"I woke up and then just went back to sleep - my window was open - then woke up at six this morning, came outside and there was a car in a hole." | |
She added: "All the car is resting on apparently is a pipe, otherwise it would have disappeared." | She added: "All the car is resting on apparently is a pipe, otherwise it would have disappeared." |
The road has been closed near the church due to "subsidence problems", London Buses said. | The road has been closed near the church due to "subsidence problems", London Buses said. |
A council spokesperson said it was expected the road would remain closed for several days but the hole is "stable". | |
The spokesperson said: "It has been confirmed the car is not resting on a gas main and can safely be removed. Once the car has been removed this will facilitate the investigations into the causes of the incident. | |
"The geology in the area is sand/gravel and there is nothing to indicate that the collapse is related to old mine workings." | |
Thames Water said there were engineers at the scene checking whether there is any damage to clean water or sewer pipes. | Thames Water said there were engineers at the scene checking whether there is any damage to clean water or sewer pipes. |
A diversion is in place for bus route 380. | A diversion is in place for bus route 380. |