A major incident was declared after a 50-metre-long sinkhole opened up on the Llangollen canal in Shropshire, swallowing several boats and prompting a rescue operation. The breach occurred near New Mills Lift Bridge in Whitchurch at around 4.22am on Monday, with emergency services reporting that three boats were caught in the developing crater.
Bob Wood, 75, who lives on one of the boats, described his narrow escape. He said he woke up to find his boat tilting and heard the sound of rushing water. 'I opened the back door to see why we were tilting and realised it was not raining at all and it was the water running away under the boat,' he said. He jumped off just as the back of the boat rose eight feet into the air.
West Mercia Police confirmed there were no casualties, and firefighters helped more than 10 people to safety. Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said crews worked in challenging conditions with unstable ground and rapidly moving water, using barge boards and water gate systems to mitigate the flow.
The Canal and River Trust said it was investigating the cause of the breach, which occurred on a section of the canal previously flagged as an 'amber risk' by the Inland Waterways Association. The charity had warned that canals in the Midlands were under strain from funding shortfalls and climate pressures.
A welfare centre was set up at the former Whitchurch police station to support around 12 residents from moored boats. Scott Hurford, area manager for the fire service, said the situation was stable by 8.30am with reduced water flow and no ongoing search and rescue activity.
