Car Swallowed By Hole In London

A car owner woke up to find his Vauxhall Zafira had fallen down a huge hole in a street in Charlton, south-east London where he was visiting his brother on Wednesday night.

BBC Radio London reported speculation that the collapse could have happened due to recent heavy rains in the area.

According to a Resident Cleo O'Kane she said she heard a loud bang during the night.

"It was raining so much I thought it was thunder," she said.

"I woke up and then just went back to sleep - my window was open - then woke up at six this morning, came outside and there was a car in a hole.

She added: "All the car was resting on apparently was a pipe, otherwise it would have disappeared."

The owner Mr Hassan wasn't so in a happy state, "In life you have good days and bad days. This morning wasn't a good day." He said.

"But I'm thankful me or my family wasn't in the car.

"I've told the insurance. They are coming to pick it up and repair it so that's the positive side, and that no-one was injured."

Mr Ghazi's brother, Abdul Ahmadzai, said: "I woke up very surprised. The police were here about 4am so I came outside and saw the car - they said it was in a hole.

"I thought: 'There's nothing I can do' and went back to sleep. I just woke up again now."

A council spokesperson said: "Royal Borough of Greenwich officers are on site and are continuing to work closely with Southern Gas Networks, Thames Water and the Police to ensure that the situation is contained.