50-metre sinkhole appears in Shropshire canal
12 people had to be brought to safety after the landslip near Whitchurch
Last updated 24th Dec 2025
A major incident has been stood down in Shropshire after a sinkhole appeared in Whitchurch in the early hours of yesterday morning (22nd December).
The sinkhole, measuring approximately 50 metres by 50 metres, opened up within a canal in the Chemistry area of Whitchurch.
West Mercia police say a multi-agency response was set up, and emergency services are still at the scene.
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service say they were called at around 4.22am to reports of a canal bank collapse.
Water was escaping into surrounding land.
Six fire crews and fifty firefighters attended, with 12 people brought to safety.
A whole section of the waterway has been drained and two narrowboats are sitting on the canal bed.
"...unstable ground and rapidly moving water"
A Shropshire Fire and Rescue service spokesperson said, "Firefighters have been working in challenging conditions with unstable ground and rapidly moving water, crews immediately established upstream and downstream safety sectors and began mitigating water flow using barge boards and water gate systems.
"We are working with out partners on scene including West Mercia Police, West Midlands Ambulance Service (including HART), the Canal & River Trust, the Environment Agency, local authority emergency planning officers, and National Resilience."
No reported injuries
Shropshire Fire Manager Scott Hurford said: "We can confirm no persons are believed to be on board the affected canal boats, and no injuries have been reported.
"Approximately 12 residents from nearby moored boats are being supported and relocated to a welfare centre at the former Whitchurch Police Station.
"A major incident was declared at 5.17am however as of 8.30am the situation was stable with water flow reduced and there is no ongoing search and rescue activity.
"Multiagency attendance remains in place to manage the environmental impact, protect nearby properties, and ensure public safety. Please avoid the area while we continue to deal with this significant incident."
Water levels
The Canal & River Trust said its teams were at the site and that the impacted section of the canal had been dammed off.
It said: "We are carrying out initial investigations into the possible cause of the breach and will provide more details in due course.
"We will also seek to return water levels either side of the breach as soon as possible and are providing support to the boaters affected and those in the immediate area either side of the breach."
People are being urged to avoid the area, including Whitchurch and Marina, and find alternative routes.
Fundraising page
A fundraising page has been set up for the three boats caught up in the breach.
The boat owners have reportedly lost everything including their home, clothes and belongings.
Over £30k has been raised, with a GoFundMe target of £50k.
The link to the page is here.