'Full collapse': Astonishing find after large hole opens up in middle of road
What started as a hole in the road has opened up into a mysterious tunnel beneath the ground, forcing authorities to block off the “unsafe” area and warn people to stay away.
A driver reported a small hole in a One Tree Hill road near Panton Hill, northeast of Melbourne’s CBD, which gaped open in the moments it took him to drive over it.
Photos of the opening were shared to Historical Underground Mines of Victoria Australia’s Facebook page on Saturday, along with some astonishing images of what lay beneath it.
Victorian State Emergency Service officer Gary Mackinnon was called to the scene at Smiths Gully and observed the sight for himself.
“When we arrived on scene I observed a 1200 metre long x 600-metre wide x at least 15 metres deep hole,” he said in the Facebook post.
Mr Mackinnon said about one-and-a-half metres beneath the ground was a road clay base and below that were logs which used to be the traditional roof covering underground shafts.
He suspected the logs had been eaten by termites in the 45 years since the road had been built, causing a “full collapse of the road”.
“Be assured the emergency service attending stayed on site until we were satisfied all the correct control measures were in place before leaving,” Mr Mackinnon said.
A physical barrier and temporary fence had been installed surrounding the hole.
Police and ambulance officers were also made aware of the potentially hazardous site, while authorities worked towards a more permanent repair.
“We appreciate the assistance of the locals that approached us including providing valuable knowledge of the existing diggings,” Mr Mackinnon said.
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