Rescuers and authorities in Hillsborough County have called off the search for a man who was swallowed by a sink hole that opened up under his bedroom saying the hole is getting bigger, and the search is becoming too dangerous, according to The Associated Press.
Jeff Bush, 37, was in his bedroom of his Seffner, Florida home Thursday night when the earth opened and took him and everything else in his room. Five other people were in the house at the time but managed to escape unharmed. Bush's younger brother jumped into the hole to try to help, but he had to be rescued by a sheriff's deputy when dirt quickly started to swallow him.
Engineers were back in the neighborhood Saturday morning performing tests at the Bush home and houses surrounding the home. Authorities said from what they have seen under the house and around the neighborhood the ground is dangerous and full of underground caverns that could open at any time. They went on to describe the area as looking like swiss cheese with holes and caverns everywhere.
Hillsborough County authorities also addressed the media to give an update on the search for Bush, who is presumed dead. They have consulted with the family who have made it clear they want Jeff's body so they can give him a proper burial. While the engineer company called in to handle the sinkhole and stabilize other homes said their main focus has been to locate Mr. Bush, they also do not want to lose any other lives in the process.
Authorities have said they plan to demolish the house which was built in 1974, and from the outside appeared to hide what had happened inside. The sinkhole is currently 100 feet wide and up to 50 feet deep and growing by the day.
Jeremy Bush was living in the house with his brother, fiancee, daughter and future father-in-law at the time of the tragedy. Family and friends have been coming and going since Thursday and leaving flowers and other items in memory of Jeff near the mailbox in front of the home.
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