http://www.13abc.com/story/22758507/...lks-with-13abc
Toledo Police are warning drivers to avoid the intersection of Bancroft Street and Detroit Avenue due to a large sinkhole. Dispatchers tell 13abc a vehicle was, "swallowed," by the sinkhole. Authorities
A woman was rescued after her car was swallowed by a 20-foot deep sinkhole on a busy Toledo street Wednesday afternoon.Emergency crews made it to Bancroft and Detroit around 12:30 Wednesday afternoon. When they got there, they found a 15-foot sinkhole with a car inside. Pamela Knox was inside that car, but she climbed out of the hole without a scratch and with an even stronger sense of faith.
"It was just hard to believe that this was actually happening to me," says Knox, while sitting with her husband Kenny. "As the car was falling, I just kept calling on the name of Jesus. I just kept saying Jesus, Jesus, Jesus."
City officials blame the hole on the collapse of an outdated combined brick sewer, that was built back in the late 1800's. They believe it broke and washed the ground away, leaving the concrete weak and more vulnerable to split.
A city spokesperson says a contractor is already working to replace the old sewer, and eventually repair the hole.
"Water started pouring into the back of the car and started filling up the back seat," says Knox. Her car broke a water main while it was sinking into the ground. As of Wednesday night, the intersection was still closed off.
"I had to remain calm so I wouldn't freak out," she comments.
Pamela's husband of 26 years, Kenny Knox, stood on the sidelines watching every move, and hoping that his wife would make it out alive.
"There could have been other cars behind her, and it could have been a pile up," he tells 13abc. "I call it a miracle."
Knox can't remember how long she was stuck inside the hole, but credits the brave firefighters for keeping her calm. They were able to get a ladder in just in time, before more debris fell on her car.
"They were my guardian angels that came to rescue me, I thank God for each and every one of them."
Pamela says she walked away a stronger woman, with more faith and gratitude to God.
"Thankfulness, just thankfulness," Knox says. "Thankful that I am a child of God."