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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 LondonMore 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."
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". 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. "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 police spokesman said no-one had been injured and a cordon was in place. A council spokesperson said it was expected the road would remain closed for several days but the hole is "stable".
A council spokesperson said: "Royal Borough of Greenwich officers are on site and are continuing to work closely with Southern Gas Networks, Thames Water and the Police to ensure that the situation is contained. 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.
"We are urgently investigating the matter and will update residents the moment we have more information." "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.