Florida Man Swallowed Alive by Sinkhole
By: REBECCA LEE
Updated: March 1, 2013
A Florida man is trapped under rubble inside a 100-foot-wide, 15-foot-deep sinkhole that collapsed the bedroom portion of his home overnight, police said.
It is unsafe for rescue crews to conduct a search for the Tampa-area man, 36, who has not been named, because the sinkhole is continuing to expand, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
The man's brother tried to pull the victim from the hole during the collapse, ABC affiliate WFTS-TV reported. The first Hillsborough County deputy on that scene pulled the brother from the still collapsing hole, according to WFTS.Listening devices and cameras have been placed inside the hole, the Hillsborough county fire department told ABC News.
There has been no contact with the victim, but Fire and Rescue officials are not ready to presume him dead.
Unlike most, the sinkhole, which reportedly began around 11 p.m. Thursday, started inside the man's home, not outside. The family awoke to a surprising scene as the sinkhole devoured the walls of the home and swallowed up one of the occupants.
Police evacuated the other residents from the structure, as well as the two surrounding homes. Officials say the home could go at any moment.
(Photo courtesy: WTSP.com)
