A father an son had a lucky escape when a hole opened up in a Beijing road and swallowed their truck.
Driver Chen Guosheng and his passenger, father Chen Donglin were lucky to avoid being killed when the 10 metre deep hole suddenly appeared as they were travelling along the Shi Liu Zhuang Road in the Fengtai district. Unable to stop in time, the Chens and their truck disappeared down the hole and had to be saved by passersby.
Younger Chen escaped with minor injuries to his legs. His father was more seriously injured but was unable to pay the hospital deposit so was taken back to the family's rented home.
The Chens are seeking compensation from the Beijing Municipal Roads Committee to reclaim the costs of their rmb400,000 truck and its load - which was eventually recovered by the emergency repairs department - hire of a replacement vehicle and personal injury. An initial compensation agreement has been reached with the Committee. Chen Donglin is making a slow recovery at home and Chen Guosheng welcomed the initial settlement which will help the family to recover.
The cause of the hole's sudden appearance remains a mystery.