Giant sinkhole swallows Illinois soccer field

Giant sinkhole swallows Alton, Illinois soccer field, shocking community

A video shows the moment a massive sinkhole opened up in the center of a soccer field in Alton, Illinois, on Wednesday morning. The field is located in Gordon F. Moore Park, a 704-acre property with 19 soccer and football fields.

This could have been much worse. -- Brian Hoener, Marquette Catholic High School athletic director

The sinkhole, reportedly caused by a collapsed underground mine, is approximately 30 feet deep and 100 feet wide. In the video, the turf caves in, sucking in a stadium light pole, followed by a mushroom cloud of smoke.

Michael Hayes, director of Alton Parks and Recreation Department, called the incident "surreal," likening it to a movie. The park is temporarily closed while experts analyze the damage, and the Mine Safety and Health Administration has been notified.

New Frontier Materials, the mine owner, said in a statement:

The impacted area has been secured and will remain off limits...while inspectors and experts examine the mine and conduct repairs... We will work with the city to remediate this issue as quickly and safely as possible. -- New Frontier Materials spokesperson, per KSDK

Luckily, there have been no reports of injuries.

SINKHOLES

• Las Cruces, NM: a sinkhole swallowed two cars.