Ten people had to be rescued during a major incident when a sinkhole opened up on the Shropshire Union Canal near Whitchurch over night.
Emergency services are the on scene on the Llangollen branch of the canal which runs down from Wrenbury into Whitchurch and out towards Wales.
There are no reports of any casualties after the sinkhole measuring around 50 metres long led to part of the canal collapsing, sending water out into nearby fields and lanes.
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service described it as a “significant breach” of the Shropshire Union Canal near Drawbridge.
The incident happened at around 4.20am today when the canal bank collapsed with large volumes of water escaping into surrounding land.
Crews form Whitchurch, Prees, Shrewsbury, Newport, Albrighton and Telford attended.
Three narrow boats were caught in the sinkhole and fire crews helped more than 10 members of the public to safety.
Firefighters have been working on unstable ground and rapidly moving water to secure the area.
Other agencies attending the scene include West Mercia Police, West Midlands Ambulance Service (including HART), the Canal & River Trust, the Environment Agency, local authority emergency planning officers, and National Resilience.
Are Manager Scott Hurford said: “We can confirm no persons are believed to be on board the affected canal boats, and no injuries have been reported.
“Approximately 12 residents from nearby moored boats are being supported and relocated to a welfare centre at the former Whitchurch Police Station.
“A major incident was declared at 5.17am however as of 8.30am the situation was stable with water flow reduced and there is no ongoing search and rescue activity.
“Multiagency attendance remains in place to manage the environmental impact, protect nearby properties, and ensure public safety.
“Please avoid the area while we continue to deal with this significant incident.”
(Pictures courtesy of Shropshire Fire Service)
Earlier this year there was a report and comments on the engineering investigations on ground movement on the Nantwich towpath and whether stop locks were fit to be deployed. In the light of this breach are we reassured that nothing similar could occur here? What did the engineers find out about the state of our embankment ? I thought Nantwich News was following up did the Agency come back with words of reassurance?
Water supply to Hurleston Resevoir .What will be the impact .?
The Llangollen Canal is a major drinking water feed as well as a canal.