Queensland sinkhole swallows car, caravan, camping trailer

A large sinkhole that formed at a camping ground near Queensland's Rainbow Beach has swallowed a car, a caravan and a camping trailer.

The sinkhole is now 3 metres deep and 100 metres each in length and width.

The sinkhole is now 3 metres deep and 100 metres each in length and width. Source: Network Ten

A car, a caravan and a camping trailer have been swallowed by a giant sinkhole that opened up at a camping ground near Queensland's Rainbow Beach.

Police say the hole opened up slowly at Inskip Point from about 11pm on Saturday and was estimated to be about 100 metres by 100 metres and around three metres deep.
No one was reported injured and everyone had been accounted for, a police spokeswoman told AAP early on Sunday.

Police and SES crews attended as campers evacuated the area.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife staff have cordoned off the area to prevent vehicle and pedestrian access.

Other camping grounds at Inskip Point remain open but people are being warned to stay away from the sinkhole.

"There is a real possibility the hole could expand with ocean currents, so people are urged to avoid the area, senior ranger Dan Clifton said.

While we continue to assess the situation, our priority is public safety.

Holidaymakers who have booked at the MV Beagle camp site can call park authorities for alternative arrangements or to arrange refunds.

Campers expressed shock at how quickly the hole grew in size.

Two employees from Clayton's Towing Service in Queensland report only just managing to escape being swallowed by the sinkhole.

"They only just got their 4wds and caravans out with seconds to spare as their campsite disappeared 3 metres down into the ocean," the company posted on its Facebook page. "A 4wd, large caravan , camper trailer, tents etc on the site next to them all got swallowed into the ocean."
Camper Melanie Wotherspoon described her horror in a Facebook post.

"Yep, can't believe we made it out," Ms Wotherspoon wrote.

"I thought we were gonners for sure, was truly scary how fast it came into our camp site and swallowed it up."

A woman ran through nearby campsites, screaming at people to wake up and get out, the ABC reports.

Word quickly spread among the camping community in the area, with the key concern for the safety of those nearby.
It's believed up to 140 people were evacuated from the area and others were warned to pack up and get ready to leave.

The hole could be linked to a number of small earthquakes in the region in recent weeks.

Staff from the Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing are on the scene but it's unclear at this stage whether the camp grounds are closed.

In 2011 a similar sinkhole emerged at the same campsite, again with no injuries.

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Source: AAP


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