A massive sinkhole drains a Shropshire canal, sinking boats and forcing a major emergency response
A major incident has been declared in Shropshire after a vast sinkhole caused the collapse of a section of canal, dramatically draining the waterway and leaving boats stranded, sinking or teetering on unstable ground.
Emergency services were called to the Chemistry area of Whitchurch in the early hours after the canal bank gave way, sending water rushing into a neighbouring field and exposing the canal bed. Images from the scene show a yawning cavity where the canal once flowed, with multiple boats partially submerged or left at precarious angles along the fractured edge.
Fire crews from Whitchurch, Prees, Shrewsbury, Newport, Albrighton and Telford attended the incident as part of a coordinated response led by Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service. Firefighters worked in difficult and hazardous conditions, facing unstable ground and fast-flowing water as they attempted to bring the situation under control.
Using barge boards and water gate systems, crews managed to slow and reduce the flow of water escaping from the canal. Their efforts helped stabilise the scene and prevent further erosion, which could have placed nearby properties and infrastructure at risk.
Twelve people who had been staying on moored boats close to the collapse were assisted to safety. Emergency services confirmed that no injuries have been reported, despite the scale and suddenness of the incident.
The sinkhole is estimated to measure around 50 metres by 50 metres, effectively draining a significant stretch of the canal. The force of the escaping water flooded an adjacent field, transforming the landscape within hours and leaving a stark reminder of the fragility of canal infrastructure.
Scott Hurford, area manager for Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, said a major incident was officially declared at 5.17am. By mid-morning, the immediate danger had eased.
“As of 8.30am the situation was stable, with water flow reduced and no ongoing search and rescue activity,” he said. “Multi-agency attendance remains in place to manage the environmental impact, protect nearby properties, and ensure public safety.”
Residents and members of the public have been urged to avoid the area while emergency teams continue their work.
A multi-agency response is now being coordinated through the Shropshire Tactical Co-ordination Group, bringing together emergency services and other authorities to manage the aftermath of the collapse.
The Canal and River Trust, which oversees much of the country’s canal network, described the incident as a breach in the canal. The organisation said its immediate priority was ensuring the safety of boaters and people living nearby.
The trust confirmed that initial investigations are underway to establish what caused the collapse, though no conclusions have yet been reached. Further assessments will be needed to determine the extent of the damage and how long repairs may take.
Canals across England are often centuries old, and while they are regularly maintained, incidents of structural failure can still occur, particularly after prolonged wet weather or changes in ground conditions.
For now, the focus remains on safety, environmental protection and stabilisation. The dramatic collapse has left a deep scar across the canal and surrounding land, and full restoration is expected to take significant time and resources.
Authorities have warned that conditions around the site remain dangerous, with unstable ground posing a continued risk as investigations and recovery efforts continue