Sinkhole swallows car in Mississauga, Ontario neighbourhood

A motorist escaped without injuries after driving into a sinkhole that opened up on a quiet Mississauga street this morning (Aug. 19).

According to reports, the unidentified driver was heading south on Clarkson Road just below Truscott Drive when they struck the massive hole that was hidden underneath a pool of water.

The incident occurred just before 9 a.m.

Nearby residents who heard the crash contacted emergency personnel. The driver was treated at the scene and the area has since been sealed off and traffic diverted around the area.

After the vehicle was pulled out and the pool of water was cleared, the hole appeared to be the size of a mini-van and was about four-feet deep.

“This hole appeared out of nowhere, it just happened,” said Lawrence Pepper who watched the clean-up efforts. “I was out walking my dog earlier and traffic was moving (on Clarkson Road). It must have just happened. It just collapsed.”

Both City of Mississauga and Peel Region officials were on the scene evaluating the damage.

Initial reports indicate that water from a pipe break below the road surface weakened the ground and likely led to the collapse. An official at the scene said that recent heavy rains may have put pressure on the aging, underlying infrastructure which may have caused the pipe to burst and the water to build up under the road.