Drivers in one of Britain’s largest cities encountered an extra-special commuting headache today when a busy city road in Manchester gave way, creating a massive sinkhole.
The hole appeared around midday, as pavement crumbled and left a pit about 40 feet deep and 15 feet wide, the Telegraph reports. The sinkhole follows heavy rainfall in the region, and is believed to be the result of a culvert, or a tunnel holding a stream or drain, eroding beneath the road. Manchester City Council said in a statement that utilities officers were assessing the situation Friday, and that the road may remain closed over the weekend.
At least anyone who arrived late to work was equipped with an intriguing excuse.
More Must-Reads From TIME
- Why Cell Phone Reception Is Getting Worse
- The Dirty Secrets of Alternative Plastics
- Israeli Family Celebrates Release of Hostage Grandmother
- We Should Get Paid for Our Online Data: Column
- The COP28 Outcomes Business Leaders Are Watching For
- The 100 Must-Read Books of 2023
- The Top 100 Photos of 2023
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
