A giant sinkhole has opened up in an elderly couple’s backyard in Queensland, Australia.
The hole expanded from about 20 feet to more than 40 feet overnight on Wednesday.
Mayor Paul Pisasale told the Brisbane Times he’s sure that the matter will be resolved for Lynn and Ray McKay, the elderly couple who owns the property in Ipswich. “They’ve been overwhelmed by the caring and compassion shown to them,” Pisasale said.
The couple was told to evacuate their home as the sinkhole widened.
“Please don’t take my washing line,” Lynn told the Queensland Times. “Please don’t take my washing line,” Lynn said.
Ray explained what happened.
“Well, we don’t get up ’til late because we are retired,” he told the Australia Broadcasting Corporation. “Nine o'clock I got a knock on the door and it’s the chap from next door.”
“I come out and I’ve got a hole in the ground, it was only a little one, a meter, and it’s just got bigger since,” he added.
A Department of Natural Resources and Mines spokeswoman said the agency is investigating.
“The department is working with the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection to determine an appropriate method to pump and dispose of water from the sinkhole,” the spokeswoman told ABC.
