### Massive Sinkhole Swallows Soccer Field in Illinois Park in Shocking Video
A massive sinkhole stretching 100 feet wide and 30 feet deep opened up in Gordon Moore Park, Alton, Illinois, on Wednesday morning, swallowing a light pole and leaving a gaping hole in the middle of recreational fields. The dramatic event was captured on a nearby security camera, showing the ground collapsing around a light pole between two soccer and football fields, sending it tumbling into the earth and releasing plumes of smoke.
The sinkhole, which emerged at 9:18 a.m., was attributed to a mine collapse deep underground, according to Alton Parks and Recreation Director Michael Haynes. “New Frontier Materials is responsible,” Haynes told NBC News. Fortunately, no one was on the field at the time, and no injuries were reported. “It looks like something out of a movie, right? It looks like a bomb went off,” Haynes remarked to NBC affiliate KSDK of St. Louis.
A spokesperson for New Frontier Materials, which owns the underground mine, confirmed that the impacted area has been secured and will remain off-limits while inspectors and experts examine the mine and conduct necessary repairs. “No one was injured in the incident, which has been reported to officials at the Mine Safety Health Administration (MSHA) in accordance with applicable regulations,” the spokesperson said. “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.”
Gordon Moore Park has been temporarily closed while the sinkhole investigation is underway, Alton Parks and Recreation announced on social media. All events and programs scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday were canceled as a result.
Sinkholes occur naturally when groundwater circulates underground and dissolves the rock beneath the surface, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. They are fairly common in Florida, where the land largely sits atop limestone. However, sinkholes can also result from mining activities, leaky utility lines, or the decay of buried material, as noted by Penn State Extension, which focuses on agronomy and horticulture education.
Last year, a 40-foot-wide sinkhole opened near Knoxville, Iowa, and was later determined to have been caused by a collapsed limestone mine, The Des Moines Register reported.
The shocking footage from Gordon Moore Park shows the ground giving way and a light pole being sucked into the hole, followed by a cloud of dirt and debris. Michael Haynes described the sinkhole as an “anomaly,” noting that the mines have been there for decades without issue. “We’re waiting to hear back from the mine and see what the geologists and the engineers have to say about it,” Haynes said. “We’ll follow their lead on where to go from here. They can determine what happened, why it happened, how to prevent it, and how we fix what has happened here.”
Haynes explained that the sinkhole occurred between two soccer fields, affecting half of each field. “It’s shocking to see, especially right in the middle of our fields here that we just spent a million and a half dollars on five years ago to complete the new turf, soccer and football fields, and concession stand next to it. It’s a little disheartening,” he said.
The park is usually closed in the evening and early morning, but Haynes acknowledged how different the outcome could have been if the sinkhole had occurred during peak hours. “I can’t imagine if there were a bunch of people out here,” he added. “We’re fortunate.”
Drone footage later captured the surreal scene, showing the enormous sinkhole in a near-perfect circle between the fields. New Frontier Materials issued a statement confirming that an investigation is being carried out to determine the cause of the collapse. “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,” the spokesperson said, noting that the incident was reported to MSHA officials. “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.”
Alton Parks and Recreation reiterated on social media that the park would remain closed while the investigation is completed. “Any scheduled events within the park are canceled for today,” the post read. “We apologize for any inconvenience.”
The incident has left the community in shock, with many residents expressing concern over the safety of the park and the potential for future sinkholes. As the investigation continues, city officials and New Frontier Materials are working together to address the issue and ensure the safety of the park and its visitors.
Source: NBC News, KSDK, The Des Moines Register
