A man has escaped with grazes after breaking the surface and partially falling into a 10ft deep sink hole in Ryde this afternoon (Saturday).
The gentleman was walking along the coastal shared path at Appley when his leg suddenly disappeared as the tarmac gave way beneath him.
Members of the public offered assistance and got the man safely away before then realising the extent of what has just happened.
The hole, which has developed beneath the path that runs from Appley to Puckpool, is estimated as being around 10ft deep and 3ft wide.
Island Roads have now cordoned off the area in the interests of safety.
Pedestrians and cyclists can still walk along the path by using the lower sea wall, or circumnavigating the short closure.
Island Roads are looking into it.
Must still be full of Christmas turkey 😉
Gosh, I hope he sues this incompetent council.
SUE the useless council.
Coincidentally an advert in the middle of the story for personal injury claims !
Must be the start of the fixed link, or a hole in one, joking apart I hope the gentleman is ok…
Is it the start of the new fixed link?
The council say there looking in to it
The council were cutting corners again… the man was lucky…
Sink holes have nothing to do with the council they are caused by erosion underground.
This is what happens when you believe in Holy religion…
There is one at every party!
Three feet wide? Blimey, had the guy been a bit slimmer, he could have disappeared right down it and been in all sorts of problems. And the NHS tell us it’s good to lose weight. I beg to differ.
But seriously folks, I hope he is ok – it could have been quite nasty.
This is where there was a massive puddle for ages must have finally forced the sub-base to give.
Anyone remember the perfectly navigable, but quaint and rough, sea wall from the end Appley Park to Springvale? It resembled the wonky wall from The Crab Shack end of the Duver to Seaview Yacht Club… Whole thing was completely rebuilt after a gent from Australia broke a limb falling over in the late eighties, or early nineties. He sued the Council for it and received nearly a million pounds. Unless this man today is a second home owner, or similar, I suggest he does the same.
I recall as a child, if one attended a picnic on the beach at the left side of Appley tower, that when the tide came in, it could ‘cut you off’ as it came in far higher then, and that side had no steps to get back onto the wall which was very high from beach level.
A little rock pool and several rocks were in front of where the Tower now is, and some very wonky stone steps to the right side of the tower was the access to the rough wall and walkway.
The beach height has risen greatly since then as the drop from the wall to beach was very high in that area back then, so I assume the rocks are now buried many feet downward.
I remember something similar, sister. However my memory serves it didn’t just occur when one attended picnics. I recall it happened with the more regular habits of the tides. Regards, Lady Dunstanding.
There is a big stormwater pipe which runs underneath this path.was put in back in late 80s.i suspect a leak in one of the pipes has caused the ground to sink.
Obviously the Council have not informed the Island.
Of the Agreement to commence a Under Ground Solent Tunnel to Southampton
This exceptional Tunnel across the Solent will save not only Islanders but also Visitors Hundreds of pounds in travel expenses.
South / Wight/ Tunnel/ Project
Whatever the problem is be rest assured
POLICE ARE LOOKING INTO IT
Ah, so that’s where i dropped my wallet . . .