Several homes in South Wales had to be evacuated after a road sweeping truck was swallowed up by a sinkhole. 

A council worker was cleaning the streets of Porth, in Rhondda, when his truck fell into the hole – behind a row of terraced houses. 

The driver was said to be ‘suffering from shock’ following the incident but escaped without injury. 

Witnesses said the vehicle could have disappeared into the ground – but it was propped up after hitting a concrete wall. 

Five houses were evacuated as a precaution after the council feared that the cause of the sinkhole was related to an old coal mine.

The Mining Remediation Authority is investigating the cause and Aberrhondda Road was closed as a precaution. 

A passerby said: ‘The area was extremely dangerous as the ground under the road sweeper was already gone, and it was only saved due to hitting a wall.

‘We made sure he was okay, although he was suffering from shock.’ 

The road sweeping truck fell into the hole behind a row of terraced houses

Five houses were evacuated after it was feared that the cause of the sinkhole was related to an old coal mine

But Rhondda Cynon Taf Council said the driver of the vehicle was ‘safe and well’.

A Mining Remediation Authority spokesperson said: ‘At around 2.20pm on Monday, February 2, the Mining Remediation Authority was made aware of a ground collapse in Porth, Rhondda Cynon Taf.

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‘Five houses have been evacuated as a precaution.

‘We are working closely with South Wales Police and Rhondda Cynon Taf Borough Council to secure the area and carry out thorough investigations to understand the cause of the incident and any potential risks.

‘If this incident was due to historic coal mining, we will design and deliver a permanent solution as quickly and safely as possible. 

‘To report a coal mine hazard, please call us on 0800 288 4242, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.’ 

A Rhondda Cynon Taf Council spokesperson said: ‘The Mining Remediation Authority have taken lead on this issue as it appears to be related to old mine workings. 

‘Their engineers are currently on site assessing the sinkhole, and the council is on hand to support if required.

‘Aberrhondda Road was temporarily closed by South Wales Police as a precaution but has since re-opened.

‘Five properties have been advised that they may need to evacuate as a precaution. 

‘Direct communication is being undertaken with these identified residents.

‘The staff member driving the vehicle is safe and well.’