Current:Home > reviewsVideo shows giant sinkhole at Illinois soccer field following mine collapse: Watch -FundTrack
Video shows giant sinkhole at Illinois soccer field following mine collapse: Watch
View
Date:2025-04-22 16:27:39
A video shows a giant sinkhole in the center of a soccer field in Illinois, leaving the community in shock.
It happened Wednesday morning around 9:00 a.m. at Gordon F. Moore Park, located in Alton, about 20 miles from St. Louis, Missouri. The 704-acre property has 19 soccer and football fields, and youth sports games are held there.
"This could have been much worse," Marquette Catholic High School athletic director Brian Hoener said during an interview with the Alton Telegraph, noting that their summer camp was there around the same time a week before.
Officials say the hole is approximately 30 feet deep and 100 feet wide, according to ABC 7 Chicago. It was reportedly caused by a collapsed underground mine. There have been no reports of injuries.
In the video, the green turf randomly caves in, and a stadium light pole is sucked into the ground. The collapse is followed by a mushroom cloud of gray smoke.
Sinkholes:Sinkhole in Las Cruces, NM swallowed two cars, forced residents to leave their homes
Park reportedly closed amid investigation
Michael Hayes, director of Alton Parks and Recreation Department, called the sinkhole "surreal," adding that it's "like a movie, KMOV reported.
“The mines have been here and in this area for decades and decades,” Hayes told the outlet. “It’s never been brought up before so I’m told it’s an anomaly. We’ll wait until the investigation is complete.”
The Mine Safety and Health Administration was notified about the incident. Experts are analyzing the damage.
"Gordon Moore Park is temporarily closed while the sinkhole investigation is being completed," Alton Parks and Recreation said.
New Frontier Materials, who owns the mine, acknowledged the incident in a statement to KMOV.
"The impacted area has been secured and will remain off limits for the foreseeable future while inspectors and experts examine the mine and conduct repairs," a spokesperson said, per KSDK. "Safety is our top priority. We will work with the city to remediate this issue as quickly and safely as possible to ensure minimal impact on the community."
USA TODAY reached out to Hayes and New Frontier Materials for comment.
Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.
veryGood! (42)
Related
- Juan Soto praise of Mets' future a tough sight for Yankees, but World Series goal remains
- The Best Dry Shampoo for All Hair Types – Get Clean & Refreshed Strands in Seconds
- Quincy Jones leaves behind iconic music legacy, from 'Thriller' to 'We Are the World'
- Homes wiped out by severe weather in Oklahoma: Photos show damage left by weekend storms
- Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
- Election Day 2024 deals: Krispy Kreme, Grubhub, Uber, Lyft and more
- How Travis Kelce does with and without Taylor Swift attending Kansas City Chiefs games
- Are banks, post offices, UPS and FedEx open on Election Day? Here's what we know
- The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
- RHOBH's Teddi Mellencamp & Edwin Arroyave's Date of Separation Revealed in Divorce Filing
Ranking
- Small twin
- Connor McDavid ankle injury update: Where does Edmonton Oilers star stand in his recovery?
- Jason Kelce Breaks Silence on Person Calling Travis Kelce a Homophobic Slur
- See Taylor Swift, Andrea Swift and Donna Kelce Unite to Cheer on Travis Kelce
- Hackers hit Rhode Island benefits system in major cyberattack. Personal data could be released soon
- Control of Congress may come down to a handful of House races in New York
- Willie Nelson speaks out on bandmate Kris Kristofferson's death: 'I hated to lose him'
- Ag Pollution Is Keeping Des Moines Water Works Busy. Can It Keep Up?
Recommendation
Pregnant Kylie Kelce Shares Hilarious Question Her Daughter Asked Jason Kelce Amid Rising Fame
Quincy Jones paid tribute to his daughter in final Instagram post: Who are his 7 kids?
New York's decision to seize, euthanize Peanut the Squirrel is a 'disgrace,' owner says
The butchered remains of a dolphin were found on a New Jersey beach. Feds are investigating
'Malcolm in the Middle’ to return with new episodes featuring Frankie Muniz
Johnny Depp’s Lawyer Camille Vasquez Reveals Why She “Would Never” Date Him Despite Romance Rumors
Georgia authorities probe weekend shooting that left 2 dead, officer injured
Hurricane season still swirling: Rafael could threaten US later this week