What’s worse than running late to an appointment or finding out that you’re driving in the wrong direction? Probably a sinkhole sprouting directly under your car while you’re actively driving.
A video posted to TikTok on May 14 shows a pretty large sinkhole in one of the lanes of what looks to be a busy roadway in Long Island, New York. Fortunately, there’s no risk of any drivers falling into the sinkhole because, well, someone was already in there.
A silver sedan can be seen partially submerged in the hole, which looks to be a few feet deep, judging by what is visible. Fortunately, it doesn’t look like anyone else on the road was affected by the sudden natural disaster.
However, even though no one was hurt, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a reason to be concerned.
The Silver Sedan Came To Rest in the Worst Possible Place
The video immediately shows the damage sustained to the silver sedan as a result of the sinkhole. It appears that the car was just short of completely falling in nose-first, but the sinkhole didn’t extend past the front bumper.
When the cameraman peers inside the sinkhole, you can see that there is a bottom and it is about three feet down from the roadway. Sometimes, sinkholes go much deeper and could swallow vehicles whole.
Judging by the open doors, it looks as though everyone who was inside the car was able to get out and step around the sinkhole. It’s unclear of exactly who was the person behind the wheel when the disaster struck.
Sinkholes Are More Common Than Most Drivers Realize
While they may seem like something out of a disaster movie, sinkholes appearing in roadways are more common than many drivers realize. These collapses can happen with little to no warning, turning an ordinary commute into a dangerous situation in a matter of seconds.
Sinkholes typically form when water gradually erodes the ground beneath the surface, creating underground voids that can no longer support the weight of the pavement above. When the surface finally gives way, the resulting hole can range from a minor inconvenience to a massive crater.
Because they can happen so suddenly, transportation officials urge motorists to remain alert for warning signs such as cracks in the roadway, unusual depressions, sagging pavement, or pooling water.
Commenters Were Already Spending the Lawsuit Money
Commenters found the humor in the situation, with many agreeing that a lawsuit is warranted. One commenter wrote, “Congrats on getting that bank!.” Another wrote, “Wasn’t I in the car with you????”
Some of my personal favorite comments that also fall into this same category were “If I’m not mistaken, I was in that back seat 😬” and “I see a millionaire 😅.”
Fortunately, the driver and any passengers involved appear to have escaped without serious injuries, though the same probably can’t be said for the silver sedan. As for the sinkhole itself, it serves as yet another reminder that sometimes the road can quite literally disappear beneath your feet, or in this case, your tires.