High school football field is swallowed by sinkhole due to ‘anomaly’

By Isabelle Stanley For Dailymail.Com

21:45 27 Jun 2024, updated 21:49 27 Jun 2024

The terrifying moment a high school football field suddenly collapsed into a massive sinkhole was caught on surveillance footage. 

The gigantic crater was created suddenly on Wednesday morning due an ‘anomaly’ underneath Gordon Moore Park in Alton, Illinois.

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. 

The sinkhole is thought to have been caused by the partial collapse of a working underground mine that had a surface subsidence. 

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.’

Haynes said: ‘The mines have been here and in this area for decades and decades.

‘It’s never been brought up before so I’m told it’s an anomaly. We’ll wait until the investigation is complete.’ 

The shocking moment the sinkhole opened was caught on surveillance camera. 

In just a few seconds the hole can be seen opening up as the ground plummets away. 

One of the tall stadium lights sinks into the hole and then vanishes completely as it is swallowed up. 

The sheets of AstroTurf were left hanging over the edges of the pit as the solid ground beneath gave way. 

Drone footage showed the extent of the damage as a huge portion of the fields was destroyed.  

There was no one using the fields at the time and there were no reported injuries.  

The fields were added to the park in 2019 and cost $1 million to install.  

Haynes said he doesn’t expect the city will have to pay for repairs.

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.’

The New Frontier Materials company, which owns the mines, told KMOV that the impacted area was secured. 

It said the area will be kept off-limits while inspectors and experts examine the mine and conduct repairs. 

Sharing the news on Facebook, Alton Parks and Recreation said: ‘Gordon Moore Park is temporarily closed while the sinkhole investigation is being completed. 

‘Any scheduled events within the park are cancelled for today. We apologize for any inconvenience.’

Alton resident Richard Baird said the collapse will have a huge impact on locals. 

He told KMOV: ‘Thousands upon thousands of people are impacted by this. Parents and their children who participate as athletes.’