Boston Main Break
Oct 29, 2004

Sinkhole Swallows Minivan

A city man narrowly escaped death this morning when a 30-foot-wide sink hole on Perkins Avenue swallowed his minivan. City officials said a 36-inch water main gave way, shooting a high-pressure jet of water underground and clearing away the dirt and sand under the road. The hole stretched nearly across Perkins Avenue and was at least 15 feet deep. About a quarter of the city's residents were hit with reduced water pressure this morning for several hours, said DPW Commissioner Mike Thorsen. Thorsen said he was unsure what caused the 36-inch pipe to let go.