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Giant Sinkhole Opens in Shropshire Canal, Swallows Boats and Triggers Major Incident
A massive sinkhole has suddenly opened along the Shropshire Union Canal near Whitchurch, prompting a large-scale emergency response and the declaration of a major incident by local authorities on Monday, 22 December 2025.
Chaos on the Canal
The breach, which occurred at about 4:22 am GMT in the Chemistry area of Whitchurch, saw a significant section of the canal bank collapse, creating a hole estimated to be around 50 metres by 50 metres in size.
Several narrowboats — traditional long canal vessels — were caught up in the incident. At least two boats were swallowed into the cavity, while a third teetered on the edge of the collapse. Dramatic footage shared online shows boats plunging into the hole as water rapidly drained away.
Swift Rescue and No Reported Injuries
Despite the dramatic nature of the collapse, no injuries have been reported. Firefighters from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service assisted more than 10 residents from affected boats and nearby moored vessels to safety, with around 12 people supported and relocated to a temporary welfare centre at a former Whitchurch police station.
Fire service area manager Scott Hurford described it as “extremely fortunate that no-one was hurt”, noting that residents and emergency crews worked together to evacuate the boats once the drop in water levels was noticed.
Multi-Agency Response Underway
Emergency services — including West Mercia Police, West Midlands Ambulance Service, the Canal & River Trust, Environment Agency and local planning officers — have been coordinating the response through the Shropshire Tactical Co-ordination Group.
Fire crews used barge boards and water gates to control the flow and re-establish upstream and downstream safety sectors, helping reduce further water loss and stabilise the site.
Authorities have closed the affected stretch of the canal — between Grindley Brook Locks and Bridge 31A — and warned members of the public to avoid the area due to unstable ground and ongoing operations.
Impact and Investigation
The sudden release of water into surrounding farmland has raised concerns about flooding and environmental impacts, though officials currently say there’s no immediate threat to homes. Engineers from the Canal & River Trust are conducting damage assessments to determine the cause of the embankment failure and the extent of repairs required.
Local boaters and residents described the experience as terrifying and compared watching boats fall into the hole to scenes from Titanic — underlining the shock felt by the community just days before Christmas.
Attached is a news article regarding a sink hole on Shropshire
Article written and configured by Christopher Stanley
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