Carol Carne, 61, was walking her cockapoo in Eston Recreation Ground in North Yorkshire when it fell into what looked like a large puddle – which has since been described as a sinkhole
08:22, 02 Jan 2025Updated 08:22, 02 Jan 2025
Carol Carne and her three dogs(Image: Carol Carne / SWNS)
A disabled gran says she thought she was going to die when she fell into a “sinkhole” while trying to rescue her dog.
On December 27, Carol Carne, 61, was walking her three cockapoos in Eston Recreation Ground, North Yorkshire, when one fell into what appeared to be a large puddle. Rushing to assist her three-year-old pooch, Ruby, as Carol reached the water’s edge the ground gave way beneath her, sending her plummeting into the icy water. Completely submerged and struggling to keep herself and Ruby afloat, Carol screamed for help.
Fortunately, three strangers came to her rescue, saving her and Ruby from what could have been a fatal outcome.
This story comes as New Year floods see Brits wading through thigh-high brown water. It also comes as the country braces itself for a wall of snow set to hit Britain this month.
The ‘sinkhole’ in Eston Recreation Ground in North Yorkshire(Image: Carol Carne / SWNS)
Carol firmly believes that without the timely intervention of these good Samaritans, she would have drowned in the sinkhole.
Recounting the ordeal of being submerged underwater, Carol admitted to never having felt such fear.
“I plunged down and I remember opening my eyes and looking up to see that I’d gone far underwater,” she said.
“It was freezing. I swam to the top and grabbed Ruby – who by that point was basically drowning. But I myself was gasping for air and whenever I tried to get out – the ground on the side was giving way. I screamed and screamed for help and it felt like a lifetime waiting for someone to get to me.”
Carol Carne after being rescued(Image: Carol Carne / SWNS)
Two heroic women came to Carol’s rescue, attempting to haul her out but found it tough going at first. A passerby alerted by the cries, joined in the effort. Thanks to the trio’s bravery, Carol and Ruby were saved from their perilous situation.
Carol expressed gratitude towards the women and is on a quest to find the man to thank him personally.
“If it wasn’t for those three people, I wouldn’t be here today,” she added. “I’ve never been so frightened in all my life. “I genuinely thought I was going to drown.”
Carol believes the incident highlights a lack of adequate safety measures.
Carol believes the incident highlights a lack of adequate safety measures(Image: Carol Carne / SWNS)
She pointed out: “There was a plastic barrier in the water – and then after what happened to me they put some more around it. But it wasn’t until today that they put up solid metal barriers. And that was after I had fallen in – and after another dog fell in the other day.”
Carol has issued a stark warning to parents to keep their kids close and dog owners to steer clear of the water’s edge. She expressed her concern, saying: “People need to be warned about this.”
She added the chilling questions: “I was lucky. I had help. But what if someone’s on their own? What if a kid runs up to it? ” Carol admitted the ordeal left her shaken, confessing: “I’ve cried for days about this. It was such a horrible experience.”
Ruby the dog who fell into the ‘sinkhole'(Image: Carol Carne / SWNS)
Initially, Carol pointed out that there were no safety measures in place around the sinkhole.
However, after her fall, she noticed the council put up plastic barriers, and following another dog’s tumble, they installed metal barriers and round-the-clock security. Despite these actions, Carol feels the response was too slow.
A spokesperson for Redcar and Cleveland Council responded with assurances: “Our staff have again secured the site around the hole with Heras Fencing, and 24-hour security is on site to ensure the safety of the public.”
The now fenced off ‘sinkhole’ (Image: Carol Carne / SWNS)
They also noted previous efforts to secure the area, stating: “The site was secured earlier this week, again with Heras Fencing, but this was taken down by persons unknown.”
The council extended their well-wishes: “We hope the woman affected makes a full recovery and we would like to thank the members of the public who came to her aid.”
They reiterated their cautionary message: “We would like to again ask residents to please avoid the area around the hole for their own safety.”