Sinkhole Swallows Car in Whittier, Eroded Pipe to Blame

Los Angeles County Fire Department firefighters arrived on the scene of a sinkhole that opened up late yesterday afternoon in the 13900 block of Coteau Drive in Whittier, according to the Whittier Daily News. At first thought to be due to rain-saturated ground, the hole began to open around a parked car at about 5 p.m. Tuesday, reports KTLA.

The sinkhole ultimately grew to a 12-foot diameter, and was more than 4 feet deep; the car sank, but was hoisted out. No one had been in the vehicle, and there were no injuries associated with the sinkhole. As a precaution, homes in the area were evacuated, however authorities have now declared the ground stable, and residents are home.

Investigators believe now that the sinkhole was caused by a broken sewer line, according to a live report on KTLA, "basically an old pipe" that simply eroded, and flooded the ground.