Huge sinkhole ‘100ft deep’ opens up in middle of Illinois football pitch

A sinkhole said to be up to 100ft deep and just as wide opened up in the middle of a field of football pitches in the US, swallowing a huge light pole.

The collapse, in the centre of Gordon Moore Park in Alton, Illinois, happened above a limestone mine on Wednesday morning, according to local reports.

No injuries have been reported and all sports and events have been cancelled for a second day, Alton City Hall said in a post on Facebook, while investigations continue.

“No one was on the field at the time and no one was hurt, and that’s the most important thing,” said Alton Mayor David Goins.

According to local media, the mine is operated by New Frontier Materials, which said in a statement there was a “surface subsidence”.

Locals are counting their blessings that the incident did not happen while the pitch was being used. Only last week the Marquette Explorers Soccer Camp was being held there between 9am and 11am every day.

Lucky break

“Last week at that time, we had 60 to 70 people out there on the field for our soccer camp,” Marquette Catholic High School athletic director Brian Hoener told the Alton Telegraph. “This could have been much worse.”

Officials locked down the entire area and closed nearby roads, the Alton Telegraph reported.

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A spokesman added: “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.

“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.”

Video footage shows a light pole in the middle of the field sink suddenly into the opening.

‘It all went’

“At the surface, it was all at once,” said director of Alton Parks and Recreation Michael Haynes, according to local broadcaster Fox 2.

“It all went. Actually, one of our lights was in the middle and it’s all gone.”

Mines are said to be 150ft below the football field, with the sinkhole reaching as far down as 100ft.

Gordon Moore Park is home to eight tennis courts, a 27-hole golf course and 19 total football fields, among other facilities.