Try GOLD - Free
'Utter panic' as sinkhole opens up in Surrey village
The Independent
|February 20, 2025
A mother-of-two forced to evacuate her home after a 65ft sinkhole opened on her doorstep has described the “utter panic” of escaping in the night.
Noosh Miri, of Godstone, Surrey, scrambled for her belongings and rushed to leave her terraced house with her husband and children at 11.30pm on Monday.
“It was definitely nothing I have ever experienced in real life. It resembled something you would see in a TV show. It was really scary,” Ms Miri told BBC News. “As I ran downstairs and opened the front door, it sounded like I was in a waterfall because the sinkhole was right on my doorstep. It was utter panic.”
Surrey County Council declared a major incident on Tuesday as police told residents to “get out as quickly as possible” over fears of an explosion caused by exposed cables. Up to 30 homes were evacuated as the abyss swallowed at least one garden.
Ms Miri has prepared to be away from her home “for a good couple of months” after she was moved into temporary accommodation.
This story is from the February 20, 2025 edition of The Independent.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Independent
The Independent
Trump deserves praise for Gaza - if he sees it through
Go to Kosovo today, and among men in their mid-twenties you will find a disproportionate number of them named Tonibler.
4 mins
October 12, 2025
The Independent
Where should I go during Cambodia backpacker trip?
Q Friends have come back from Cambodia raving about the place as a backpacker destination. In your opinion, what highlights should I absolutely not miss?
1 mins
October 12, 2025
The Independent
A decade of pain before endometriosis is diagnosed
At just 12 years old, a terrified Zaynah Ahmed lost so much blood during her period that she was left in a life-threatening condition and needed an urgent blood transfusion.
3 mins
October 12, 2025
The Independent
BREAK THE SILENCE
Olivia Petter was made to feel she should ignore an incident with a stranger in a dressing room, but after bureaucratic hurdles and a police investigation, she finally felt vindicated
7 mins
October 12, 2025
The Independent
Hull KR thrash champions Wigan for Grand Final win
Hull KR completed an historic treble after battering defending champions Wigan 24-6 in a pulsating Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford.
2 mins
October 12, 2025
The Independent
Blair met Epstein while he was PM, documents reveal
Sir Tony Blair met with Jeffrey Epstein in Downing Street while he was prime minister, after lobbying from Peter Mandelson, documents have revealed.
2 mins
October 12, 2025
The Independent
Nobel Peace Prize winner dedicates award to Trump
Venezuelan opposition leader and the newly awarded Nobel Peace Prize winner has dedicated her win to Donald Trump for his “decisive support” in her country’s fight for democracy.
2 mins
October 12, 2025
The Independent
Fury as Taliban bars women from press event in India
The Taliban reportedly barred women journalists from attending a press event of visiting Afghan foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in India, drawing anger from a wide section of Indian reporters, activists, and politicians.
4 mins
October 12, 2025
The Independent
'Here is ur diagnosis': Is this Labour's vision for the NHS?
Sitting in the middle of an office was not how I had ever envisaged being told that I have a long-term health condition, but that’s where I was when I received the following message - original typos included:
3 mins
October 12, 2025
The Independent
Starmer 'planning to blame Farage' for Budget tax hikes
Sir Keir Starmer is reportedly gearing up to blame Nigel Farage and Brexit for Britain’s expected downturn in productivity at the Budget, as part of a new attack on the Reform UK leader.
2 mins
October 12, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size