Sinkhole emerges on busy Christchurch road due to burst water main, repair work underway

A large sinkhole has opened up on a busy road in Christchurch leaving 50 properties in a city suburb without water. According to the Star News website, Christchurch City Council said that the main burst occurred in Fendalton about 6.30am on Friday.

Contractors arrived in the area and began pumping water out of the sinkhole. The sink hole opened up near St Barnabas Church following heavy rain in the city on Thursday, June 5, according to the New Zealand Herald. The church is considered a key landmark in the city.

A section of the busy arterial route was shut while contractors tried to fix the issue. The council is expecting the repair work to be completed by 2 PM Wednesday, June 6.


A taxi sustained damage after it drove into the large sinkhole. According to the Police, they received reports of water, flooding and potential road damage on Friday at about 6.20 AM, according to Star News. Water was seen flowing into nearby streets as workers tried to pump it out of the hole.

What did local say about sinkhole

A local resident Rachel Alexander said that she woke up to a text from a neighbour who warned her that the water was off. While walking her dog she stated that she witnessed the sinkhole in the road.

"I managed to get right up next to it and the sinkhole is a good one metre or two metres wide and there's a contractor digging there," she said, Star News reported.