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
- The 100 Most Influential People of 2024
- Coco Gauff Is Playing for Herself Now
- Scenes From Pro-Palestinian Encampments Across U.S. Universities
- 6 Compliments That Land Every Time
- If You're Dating Right Now , You're Brave: Column
- The AI That Could Heal a Divided Internet
- Fallout Is a Brilliant Model for the Future of Video Game Adaptations
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
Write to Julia Zorthian at julia.zorthian@time.com