An ex-miner has recounted the terrifying experience of falling approximately 30 feet into a sinkhole that opened up beneath his car while on holiday in Cornwall. Ian Haynes, 62, was staying at the Higher Trevaskis Caravan and Camping Park in Connor Downs in July when the incident occurred.
Haynes, from Nottinghamshire, had parked his BMW in the same spot for nearly two weeks before noticing the front of the vehicle had dropped. As he stood with the park owner to investigate, the ground gave way, and he fell into the sinkhole. He estimates the fall was between 100 and 140 feet, though emergency services reported the depth as 30 feet. Haynes, who cannot swim, landed in water but managed to grab a plank of wood and pull himself to the side.
Over 60 emergency personnel responded to the scene. Haynes described believing his life was over as he plunged into the hole, seeing his car wheel above him as the opening narrowed. He stated that he knew how to secure himself when rescuers threw down a rope, using a method similar to a safety harness. He instructed emergency services to place a ladder over the hole to prevent further collapse.
Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed officers attended Gwinear Road shortly after 6 p.m. on July 24 to support emergency services responding to a man who had fallen into a sinkhole. A number of people were cleared from the area for safety reasons.
Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service reported that firefighters used line rescue equipment to save a casualty approximately 30 feet down a sinkhole. The casualty was left in the care of the ambulance service.
Haynes sustained only cuts and bruises but is still suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of the ordeal. He reported jumping out of bed at 4 a.m. feeling as though he was falling again. Despite the traumatic event, Haynes praised the campsite staff for their care and concern.
A spokesperson for Higher Trevaskis Caravan and Camping Park stated that an unrecorded, historical mining feature had opened up in an isolated area of the park. They confirmed that emergency safety protocols were activated immediately and that the guest was taken to the hospital with minor injuries and later released. Specialist engineers are reportedly managing the permanent capping of the feature.