Terrifying moment high school football field is nearly swallowed by massive sinkhole due to 'anomaly' from 30 jpg Watch Video

⏲ Duration: 1:21
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✓ Published: 28-Jun-2024

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The terrifying moment a high school football field suddenly collapsed into a massive sinkhole was caught on surveillance footage. <br/><br/>The gigantic crater was created suddenly on Wednesday morning due to an 'anomaly' underneath Gordon Moore Park in Alton, Illinois.<br/><br/>There were no injuries but the pit is estimated to be at least 30 feet deep and 100 feet wide and swallowed a whole stadium light during its collapse. <br/><br/>The sinkhole is thought to have been caused by the partial collapse of a working underground mine that had a surface subsidence. <br/><br/>Michael Haynes, the director of the city's parks and recreation department, told CBS affiliate KMOV: 'It was surreal. Kind of like a movie where the ground just falls out from underneath you.'<br/><br/>Haynes said: 'The mines have been here and in this area for decades and decades.<br/><br/>'It's never been brought up before so I'm told it's an anomaly. We'll wait until the investigation is complete.' <br/><br/>The shocking moment the sinkhole opened was caught on surveillance camera. <br/><br/>In just a few seconds the hole can be seen opening up as the ground plummets away. <br/><br/>One of the tall stadium lights sinks into the hole and then vanishes completely as it is swallowed up. <br/><br/>The sheets of AstroTurf were left hanging over the edges of the pit as the solid ground beneath gave way. <br/><br/>Drone footage showed the extent of the damage as a huge portion of the fields was destroyed.<br/><br/>There was no one using the fields at the time and there were no reported injuries.<br/><br/>The fields were added to the park in 2019 and cost $1 million to install.<br/><br/>Haynes said he doesn't expect the city will have to pay for repairs.<br/><br/>He said: 'Hopefully, we can find a remedy and get plans together to move forward before we get into our busy season out here again.'<br/><br/>The New Frontier Materials company, which owns the mines, told KMOV that the impacted area was secured. <br/><br/>It said the area will be kept off-limits while inspectors and experts examine the mine and conduct repairs. <br/><br/>Sharing the news on Facebook, Alton Parks and Recreation said: 'Gordon Moore Park is temporarily closed while the sinkhole investigation is being completed. <br/><br/>'Any scheduled events within the park are canceled for today. We apologize for any inconvenience.'<br/><br/>Alton resident Richard Baird said the collapse will have a huge impact on locals. <br/><br/>He told KMOV: 'Thousands upon thousands of people are impacted by this. Parents and their children who participate as athletes.'