Pingtung Truck Falls into Sinkhole, District Office Cites Heavy Rain Erosion

(CNA, reporter Huang Yu-ching, Pingtung County, July 2nd) A man surnamed Shih was driving a large truck on Guangdong Road in Pingtung City today when its front right wheel suddenly sank into the asphalt road surface, creating a hole about 1 meter long. Fortunately, only about half of the wheel was submerged, and the driver was unharmed. The Pingtung City Office stated that the incident was likely caused by road erosion from recent heavy rains.

The Pingtung County Police Bureau's Pingtung Precinct reported that at approximately 10:58 AM today, they received a report of a large truck falling into the road surface on Guangdong Road in Pingtung City. Upon investigation, it was found that a 54-year-old man surnamed Shih was driving a large truck eastward on Guangdong Road. As he was veering right to park near the accident site, his front right wheel suddenly sank into the asphalt road surface.

The Pingtung Precinct stated that the road formed a hole approximately 1 meter in diameter. Fortunately, the driver was not injured, only the vehicle sustained damage. The driver showed no signs of drunk driving or drug use. Police have notified the relevant authorities to dispatch personnel to repair the road as soon as possible to ensure the safety of road users and urge drivers passing through the area to slow down and pay attention to road conditions.

The Pingtung City Office has taken emergency measures after being notified, including calling a tow truck to remove the large truck and covering the hole, which has been cordoned off with traffic cones.

Li Ying-tsung, head of the Public Works Section of the Pingtung City Office, told reporters that preliminary observations suggest a break in the connecting pipe of the box culvert on the side of Guangdong Road. Rainwater from the heavy rains on 06/25 washed away the soil, causing the road surface to collapse. The office has implemented emergency traffic control measures to ensure driving safety and will excavate and repair the road later.

The driver, Mr. Shih, stated that he was about to drive forward and pull over to the side of the road when the vehicle suddenly sank. He thought he had a flat tire, but upon getting out to check, he discovered it was a sinkhole. (Editor: Chang Ya-ching) 1150702

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