A massive sinkhole suddenly opened up on a busy road near the University of Nebraska Omaha on Tuesday afternoon, swallowing two vehicles and leaving drivers and bystanders in shock. The incident occurred at the intersection of 67th and Pacific streets, near the university’s Aksarben Village area, at around 3:30 pm local time.
Traffic and security camera footage showed an SUV and a pickup truck stopped at the intersection when the asphalt beneath them abruptly collapsed, creating a deep crater and trapping both vehicles.
Both drivers managed to escape safely. The pickup truck driver climbed out of the sinkhole and, with the help of nearby witnesses, helped the SUV driver to safety before emergency responders arrived. Officials said the incident caught everyone off guard. No injuries were reported, though authorities indicated a water main break may have contributed to the collapse.
Emergency crews later used a crane-equipped tow truck to retrieve the vehicles, while workers began clearing debris and assessing structural damage.
Officials warned the sinkhole could widen and said the affected stretch of Pacific Street would remain closed for several days as a precaution.
Traffic advisories were issued, restricting east-west movement along the road while allowing limited north-south traffic nearby. Authorities are continuing to investigate the exact cause of the collapse.
Internet reacts
The footage of the incident quickly went viral online, drawing reactions ranging from disbelief to praise for the rescuers.
“Imagine explaining this to the insurance company,” one user joked.
Others expressed shock at how quickly the road gave way. “That’s terrifying — it just swallowed them,” a user wrote, while another said, “New fear unlocked.”
Several users also applauded the bystanders who rushed to help the trapped drivers. “Respect to the people who stepped in immediately. Their quick response made a huge difference,” one person wrote.
