Locals were left shocked to wake up and find a motorist had driven their car into a sinkhole which opened up in a residential area of Essex during the early hours of Monday morning.
Dramatic pictures show the Toyota submerged in the water-filled void, as emergency workers attempted to pull it out.
It is not thought that the driver of the vehicle was injured after the incident.
Local resident, Ollie Watson said: “I thought it was a road accident at first.
“We didn’t hear it.
“Our daughter heard a bit of a commotion.
“We then thought that the fire brigade had cut the car in half – but it was actually just sticking out of the hole.”
In a statement, Essex Fire and Rescue said: “Firefighters were called to Hatch Road, Pilgrims Hatch at 01:34am after reports that a sewer had partially collapsed.
“On arrival, crews reported that the hole extended into the road and a car was trapped.
“Six properties were evacuated due to unstable ground.
“Crews worked to make the scene safe by 3:53am before leaving it in the care of Anglian Water.”
