Toyota in Essex plunges into sinkhole as Storm Ciara continues to cause chaos

Victoria Bell
Updated ·2-min read

A Toyota car has plunged nose-first into a sinkhole that opened up on a suburban street following heavy wind and rain from Storm Ciara.

The massive hole appeared in the early hours of Monday morning as the storm raged, wreaking havoc across the UK with winds of up to 97mph, causing cancelled flights, rail services and sporting events including a Premier League game.

Emergency services at the scene assess the damage as properties were evacuated due to unstable ground. (SWNS)
Emergency services at the scene assess the damage after a Toyota fell into a sinkhole in Essex that opened up in the early hours of Monday. (SWNS)

Pictures from Hatch Road in Brentwood, Essex, show what appears to be a Toyota almost completely submerged in the huge hole.

Emergency services can also be seen at the scene, where the occupants of six properties were evacuated due to “unstable ground”.

The massive hole appeared in the early hours of Monday morning as the storm raged, wreaking havoc across the UK. (SWNS)
The massive hole appeared in the early hours of Monday morning as Storm Ciara raged, wreaking havoc across the UK. (SWNS)

Local Ollie Watson, 50, said he didn't hear the crash – which happened just down the street – and only went to investigate after his daughter mentioned a disturbance outside at around 2.30am.

He said: "I thought it was a road accident at first. We didn't hear it. Our daughter heard a bit of a commotion.

"We then thought that the fire brigade had cut the car in half – but it was actually just sticking out of the hole.

Residents appear on the street despite the late hour to see the unusual sight. (SWNS)
Residents appeared on the street overnight to see the unusual sight. (SWNS)

"It's very unusual. My neighbours were out there, and a few people from across the road.”

There was no one in the car at the time it fell into the sinkhole, authorities said.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said: “Firefighters were called to Hatch Road, Pilgrims Hatch, at 01:34am after reports that a road had partially collapsed.

“On arrival, crews reported that the hole extended into the road and a car was trapped.

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“Six properties were evacuated due to unstable ground.

A Toyota car is removed from a sinkhole which appeared overnight in Hatch Road, Brentwood, in the aftermath of Storm Ciara, which hit the country Sunday.
The car was pulled from the sinkhole on Monday. (PA)
A Toyota car in a sinkhole which appeared overnight in Hatch Road, Brentwood, in the aftermath of Storm Ciara, which hit the country Sunday.
The car stayed in the hole overnight as emergency workers assessed the right way to pull the vehicle out. (PA)
A Toyota car is removed from a sinkhole which appeared overnight in Hatch Road, Brentwood, in the aftermath of Storm Ciara, which hit the country Sunday.
The hole after the car was removed. (PA)

“Crews worked to make the scene safe by 3:53am before leaving it in the care of Anglian Water and Essex and Suffolk Water.”

This morning an Anglian Water spokesperson said: “We are currently onsite on Hatch Road, Pilgrims Hatch, in Brentwood investigating a sink hole which has opened up in the road.

“We are working with other utilities (water and gas) plus the local police to assess if any of our pipes have been damaged.”

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