CBC News Canada published today that, “Authorities hope to get a better look at a sinkhole that swallowed a man in his Florida home; once demolition crews knock down the remaining walls of the house and begin clearing away the debris. The remainder of the house and its contents will be dragged toward the street so crews can recover items inside and keep debris from falling into the hole, Hillsborough County spokesman Willie Puz said Monday morning. Authorities were still not certain exactly how big the sinkhole is.”
CBC News Canada goes on to say, “Jeremy Bush, 35, tried to save his brother, Jeff, when the earth opened up and swallowed him Thursday night. On Sunday morning, Bush and relatives prayed with a pastor.
The search for the man that was pulled underground when the sinkhole opened up has been called off. The family is left to mourn. “"Based on the circumstances, he's presumed dead; however, the official death certificate can only be issued by a judge and the family has to petition the court," McKinnon said.”
The difference between a pothole and a sinkhole
According to Herbert B, “A pothole is a hole in a street caused by traffic and weather. It is caused by events above the street. A sinkhole is caused when land beneath the street is washed away or water empties out of a cave from beneath a street. In that case, the street falls down into the hole created when the road collapses when the ground gives way. Potholes are far easier to fix than sinkholes. Potholes need to be filled in and they are ready to be driven over. With sinkholes, the underlying problem must be filled in or the road must be rerouted. After the sinkhole is filled in or the road rerouted then the road must be rebuilt.”
Other major sinkholes that have risked the health of individuals or caused death
New York Daily News reported, “A sinkhole covers a street intersection in downtown Guatemala City on June 2, 2010. Authorities initially blamed heavy rains caused by tropical storm Agatha [for causing] the crater that swallowed a three-story building. While in April 2007 another giant sinkhole in the same area killed three people.”
In Sept of 2012, “A sinkhole opened up in Durham, NC., and swallowed a car while another opened up on a Canadian Highway swallowing a car.” The driver just could not avoid it.
Sinkholes are unpredictable but swallowing up Jeff Bush in Florida is a deep tragedy caused by nature.
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