Two tourists from Darwin received a terrifying shock on Sunday when the street beneath their rental car gave way, swallowing the vehicle whole as they prepared to leave their Adelaide accommodation.
A Sudden Collapse on a Quiet Street
The couple were about to depart from their Airbnb when disaster struck without warning. The ground opened up, causing their Kia to plunge into a gaping sinkhole that appeared directly in front of them. The incident occurred on Sunday, turning a routine departure into a scene of chaos.
With a flight to catch, the stranded travellers had no choice but to abandon their trapped rental car. They were forced to order an Uber to make it to the airport on time, leaving the vehicle behind in the crumbling pit.
Cause and Dramatic Aftermath
The sinkhole was caused by a burst water main beneath the street. The escaping water flooded the surrounding area, affecting driveways and even seeping into a nearby wine cellar.
One witness described the surreal scene, initially mistaking the torrent for a "red river" flowing down the road. Another onlooker recounted the moment, saying, "Some poor guy’s tried to leave the Airbnb and obviously his car’s hit a bit of a speed bump," highlighting the sudden and unexpected nature of the collapse.
Recovery and Repair Efforts
A tow truck was eventually called to the scene to safely remove the Kia from the sinkhole. The event caused significant disruption to the local Adelaide street, with authorities working to repair the damaged infrastructure.
Repair crews focused on fixing the broken water main and restoring services to the affected properties. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable challenges that can arise from ageing urban infrastructure.
