PORTSMOUTH, Va. — A Portsmouth school bus carrying two students fell into a sinkhole during its route to school, according to a Portsmouth Public Schools spokesperson.
The bus was headed to Douglass Park Elementary School Friday morning when the incident happened, the spokesperson said.
The two students on the bus at the time were not injured, but out of caution, EMT personnel were called for evaluation, the spokesperson added.
"It went right across that area and fell right into the sinkhole. The street gave way. That's what it was," said neighbor Danita Boomer. "Yeah it's scary. I saw the kids were off the bus."
With the kids okay, the neighbors turned their attention to the road.
"It's a water problem," Boomer pointed. "A water problem in this part right here."
As the U.S. Geological Survey reports that sinkholes are all about water. They're made when water washes away certain material below the ground's surface. Then the land above can suddenly give way.
Although the hole near Highland Ave. and Oak St. is just a few feet wide, those in the area hope the street will be fixed soon.
Neighbors worry the area will continue to be an issue.
"Oh it's gonna happen again," said Boomer. "I just pray nobody gets hurt."
The city of Portsmouth said the hole is considered a sewer line cave-in where water washes soil into a defective pipe. A spokesperson for the city said they've temporarily filled in the hole and sewage is running properly, but a major repair is in the works. That major repair is expected to take a few days.
