Mine collapse causes sinkhole that engulfed part of soccer field: ‘Kind of like a movie’

ALTON, Ill. (First Alert 4/Gray News) — A mine collapsed in Illinois on Wednesday, damaging an Alton-area soccer field.

A representative for New Frontier Materials said an underground mine had a surface subsidence that opened a sinkhole at Gordon Moore City Park in Alton.

Alton Parks and Recreation Department Director Michael Haynes said they estimate the hole is at least 100 feet wide and up to 50 feet deep.

“The mines have been here and in this area for decades and decades,” Haynes said. “It’s never been brought up before, so I’m told it’s an anomaly. We’ll wait until the investigation is complete.”

The collapse engulfed one of the stadium lights.

“It was surreal, kind of like a movie where the ground just falls out from underneath you,” Haynes added.

The turf fields were added to the park in 2019. Haynes said the project was over $1 million.

Although it’s early in the process, Haynes doesn’t expect the city to have to foot the bill for any fixes.

“Hopefully, we can find a remedy and get plans together to move forward before we get into our busy season out here again,” Haynes said.

The incident was reported to the Mine Safety and Health Administration.

“We will work with the city to remediate this issue as quickly and safely as possible to ensure minimal impact on the community,” New Frontier Materials said in a statement.

Alton resident Richard Baird described seeing the giant sinkhole in the middle of the turf field as startling.

“A very sad occasion for the community because of the newness of this facility and No. 1, and No. 2, all the youth that participate here,” Baird said. “It puts all that on hold.”

Baird said this is a huge loss for Alton.

“Thousands upon thousands of people are impacted by this,” Baird said. “Parents and their children who participate as athletes.”

It was a working mine at the time of the collapse and no injuries were reported.

There have been similar occurrences in the area in recent years. Mine collapses closed the Ruler Foods in Belleville, temporarily shut down a Wolf Branch school in Swansea and a skating rink in Fairview.

“Probably a large portion of this park has got mines underneath it, so it’s not surprising to me,” Baird added.

The park is closed for the time being.

The impacted area was secured and will be off limits while inspectors and experts examine the mine and conduct repairs.

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