ALTON, Ill. (AP) — A giant sinkhole has swallowed the center of a soccer complex that was built over an operating limestone mine in southern Illinois, taking down a large light pole and leaving a gaping chasm where squads of kids often play. But no injuries were reported after the sinkhole opened Wednesday morning.
“No one was on the field at the time and no one was hurt, and that’s the most important thing,” Alton Mayor David Goins told The (Alton) Telegraph.
Security video that captured the hole's sudden formation shows a soccer field light pole disappearing into the ground, along with benches and artificial turf at the city's Gordon Moore Park.
The hole is estimated to be at least 100 feet (30.5 meters) wide and up to 50 feet (15.2 meters) deep, said Michael Haynes, the city's parks and recreation director.
“It was surreal. Kind of like a movie where the ground just falls out from underneath you," Haynes told KMOV-TV.
The park and roads around it are now closed indefinitely.
New Frontier Materials Bluff City said the sinkhole resulted from “surface subsidence” at its underground mine in city, located about 25 miles (40 kilometers) north of St. Louis along the Mississippi River.
The collapse was reported to the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration, as required, company spokesman Matt Barkett said. He told The Associated Press the limestone mine is located about 170 feet (52 meters) below ground and it’s his understanding that it runs under the city park where the sinkhole appeared.
“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," Barkett said in a statement. “We will work with the city to remediate this issue as quickly and safely as possible to ensure minimal impact on the community.”
Haynes said he doesn’t know how the sinkhole will be fixed but that engineers and geologists will most likely be involved in determining the stability of the ground and surrounding areas.
This photo provided by the City of Alton, Ill., shows security video of a sinkhole that opened in the middle of a soccer field on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 in Alton, Ill. Authorities say a giant sinkhole that opened in the middle of the southern Illinois soccer field swallowed a large light pole and left a gaping chasm above an area where limestone is mined underground. (City of Alton, Ill. via AP)
BOSTON (AP) — Brad Marchand scored a backhand off of his own rebound with 20 seconds remaining in overtime to lift the Bruins to a 4-3 win over the Flames on Thursday night.
It was Marchand’s second OT winner of the season and redeemed a penalty he committed that led to a power-play goal during the opening minute of the third period.
Hampus Lindholm, Pavel Zacha and Cole Koepke scored Boston's other goals, and David Pastrnak had two assists. Joonas Korpisalo stopped 34 shots for the Bruins.
Calgary received goals from Tyson Barrie, Yegor Sharangovich and Nazem Kadri. The Flames trailed 3-1 going into the third period before Sharangovich scored with a man advantage and Kadri evened it at 9:55.
Dustin Wolf made 34 saves for the Flames.
Flames: Calgary opened the season with four straight wins, but have only won three games in its last 10.
Bruins: Korpisalo made his fifth start of the season in goal and is now 3-2.
With a shootout looming, Boston’s Elias Lindholm forced a turnover along the boards that led to Marchand netting his fourth goal of the season and the Bruins' third overtime win.
After hitting the post twice in regulation, Marchand recorded the 21st overtime winning goal in his career.
The Flames wrap up a three-game trip at Buffalo on Saturday, the same day the Bruins conclude a two-game homestand against Ottawa.
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri (91) and Boston Bruins center Tyler Johnson (90) collide in the third period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Boston Bruins center Tyler Johnson (90) and Calgary Flames center Mikael Backlund (11) collide in the second period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Boston Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo (25) left wing Cole Koepke (45) defenseman Charlie McAvoy (73) celebrate with goaltender Joonas Korpisalo (70) after beating the Calgary Flames in overtime of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Calgary Flames right wing Matt Coronato (27) is unable to score as Boston Bruins goaltender Joonas Korpisalo (70) deflects the puck in overtime of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand, right, celebrates his goal with defenseman Charlie McAvoy, left, after scoring in overtime to end an NHL hockey game against the Calgary Flames, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
