Massive sinkhole swallows car with driver on McKnight Road, Pennsylvania, USA

A sudden sinkhole swallowed a car that was in the parking lot of a McKnight Road tanning salon Tuesday afternoon.

According to emergency dispatchers, the incident was reported at Hollywood Tans in the 7500 block of McKnight Road just after 4 p.m.

The owner of the salon helped rescue the driver, identified as Natalie Huddleston, but the entire car vanished underwater within minutes.

“I left the tanning bed, got in my car and I started to back out. I felt a thump and I was kind of sticking up in the air. The back end of my car was disappearing into the parking lot and I couldn’t see it,” said Huddleston. “I hit the gas and there was nothing touching the back wheels. I felt it teetering and rocking so I called the lady in the tanning bed and said, ‘Get out here and help!’”

Emergency crews have shut down southbound portions of McKnight Road, a busy area full of malls and other businesses.

The Hollywood Tans and other businesses nearby have been evacuated. No injuries have been reported. 

There were heavy rains in the area before the sinkhole appeared, but it’s not yet known if they contributed to the problem.