SINKHOLES have become a terrifying phenomenon associated with the sudden appearance of massive holes appearing out of nowhere, or leaving roads unpassable.

While the shocking images of sinkholes are often seen in other parts of the world, swallowing vehicles whole, The Green in Pembroke had its own taste of a sinkhole on Friday afternoon, January 27, when a car became trapped.

While the Pembroke sinkhole was not on the scale of others, it still led to a trapped car and a closed road.

Lisa Howells, a mobile hairdresser from Marshall Road, Monkton had been visiting a client at Windsor Road, The Green using the family car.

Without warning a hole opened up under the car, rendering the Mercedes immovable.

Husband Stephen received the worrying news about the sinkhole while in work, making his way to the Green.

He joined the crowd by the stricken car, and initially attempted to move it himself.

Speaking to the Western Telegraph from the scene, he said: “My wife was in the house just alongside; I got a phone call in work to say the car’s down a sinkhole, I was told it was hanging on by its front bumper.

“One of the wheels has gone down it; I’ve been here for a couple of hours.”

He added: “The water has gone underneath the road and eventually it gave way.”

Mr Howells praised the role of county council and Welsh Water workers on scene, adding: “I normally finish work at 2.30 on a Friday and go for a few beers not to a hole in the ground; thankfully no-one was hurt.”

Welsh Water stated: “We were alerted to a small issue on the surface of Windsor Road, Pembroke on Friday. A team have attended the site and we are working closely with Pembrokeshire Council to investigate the cause of the issue. Pembrokeshire Council have made the decision to close the road over the weekend for the safety of road users.”

A Pembrokeshire County Council spokeswoman said the road would be partially closed to vehicles until the issue was resolved with Welsh Water.