In a startling incident that unfolded on a New York street, a female driver found herself trapped and ‘screaming for help’ as her car was engulfed by a massive sinkhole.
The incident occurred around 5 am in Irondequoit, New York, when torrential rainfall inundated the region.
Firefighters swiftly arrived at the scene to rescue the woman and her passenger, who were stranded in the 10-foot hole.
The road’s collapse also led to another driver crashing into a nearby pole.
Flooding Triggers Sinkhole
The sinkhole’s formation is attributed to heavy flooding that overwhelmed a storm sewer pipe beneath the road.
Anthony DeSalvo, a resident on the same street, was awakened by the desperate cries for help from the woman trapped in the sinkhole.
Initially mistaking it for a car crash, DeSalvo rushed to the scene, only to find a ‘woman’s head peeking out of the ground.’
He and a neighbor managed to rescue the frightened and disoriented driver, while the passenger had to wait a few minutes before first responders reached him.
Both occupants were taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.
Heroic Rescue Amidst Chaos
Amidst the chaos, DeSalvo and his neighbor’s quick thinking saved the day.
DeSalvo described the harrowing experience of aiding the trapped individuals while fearing that another vehicle might inadvertently fall into the sinkhole.
He expressed relief at being in the right place at the right time to assist.
Challenges and Concerns
DeSalvo acknowledged the challenges of the situation, highlighting the difficulty of pulling the driver and her passenger from the approximately 12-foot-deep sinkhole.
He shared his apprehension that the blind spot near the sinkhole could have led to further accidents.
Despite the frightening circumstances, DeSalvo noted that the trapped woman appeared to be relatively fine.
He managed traffic until his neighbor arrived to provide additional help.
Aftermath and Response
Once the trapped individuals were rescued, crews worked to retrieve the car from the sinkhole.
Local residents expressed shock and concern about the road’s sudden collapse in their neighborhood.
The sinkhole was a stark reminder of the unpredictability of such events.
The local police closed the road in both directions, expecting it to remain shut for at least three days.
Emergency contractors worked tirelessly to repair the collapsed storm sewer pipe, but cleanup efforts could extend into the weekend.
Recurring Issue
This incident in Irondequoit adds to New York’s history of sinkholes.
In 2021, a massive 20-foot sinkhole appeared in the middle of a Manhattan street, sparking concerns about the city’s aging infrastructure.
Investigators suggest that faulty or ineffective sewer pipes may contribute to these sinkhole occurrences, affecting both urban and upstate areas.
The incident in Irondequoit serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of infrastructure to the forces of nature, and the swift response of local residents and emergency personnel helped prevent further tragedy.
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