Gigantic Sinkhole Opens Up in British City

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.

[Telegraph]