Truck swallowed by sinkhole in Lehigh Valley; homes evacuated

BETHLEHEM TWP., Pa. -- Thirty people have evacuated their homes in the Lehigh Valley after a water main break caused a large sinkhole that swallowed a utility truck.

The incident started around 8:00 p.m. Thursday on the 1800 block of Hampton Road in Bethlehem Township.

Utility crews were initially called to scene for a water main break.

After they arrived a huge hole opened up underneath a PPL utility vehicle.

The vehicle sank into the hole and came to rest on a 4-inch high-pressure natural gas line.

The line was not ruptured and there was no gas leak.

But authorities shut off gas and water service in the area as a precaution and evacuated all homes within a 300-foot radius.

The driver of the truck was able to get out safely and was not hurt. The truck was removed several hours later.

The Red Cross arrived on the scene and is assisting a number of evacuated residents.

The gas remained shut off and Hampton Road remained closed to traffic early Friday morning.

There was no immediate word when service would be restored, or when residents would be allowed back in their homes.