Greenwich sinkhole: 'You have good days and bad days', says man whose car was swallowed by road

A car owner who discovered his people carrier had been swallowed by a sinkhole today said philosophically: "You have good days and bad days".

The blue seven-seater Vauxhall Zafira was pulled into the large crater as it opened up in Charlton, Greenwich, in the early hours of this morning.

Ghazi Hassan left the car on the road outside the Benefice of Charlton St Thomas' Church in Woodland Terrace on Wednesday night after visiting his brother’s home nearby.

Mr Hassan, who has owned the car for three to four years, said: "In life you have good days and bad days. This morning wasn't a good day.

"But I'm thankful me or my family wasn't in the car."

He added: "I've told the insurance. They are coming to pick it up and repair it so that's the positive side, and that no-one was injured."

Residents in the leafy street said they heard a "sound like thunder" at around 4am when a large hole opened up in the ground outside.

The family car became wedged in the hole, where it was left resting on a utilities pipe which has prevented it from falling all the way in.

Police have warned locals they may have to be evacuated.

Mr Hassan's brother, Abdul Ahmadzai, said: "I woke up very surprised. The police were here about 4am so I came outside and saw the car - they said it was in a hole. I thought 'There's nothing I can do' and went back to sleep.

Reverend Erica Wooff, the rector of Charlton, who lives next door to the church, said her initial reaction was "Oh my goodness, there's a hole in the road".

"There was a massive storm last night. It has been raining constantly for the past two days but I didn't hear tarmac rip open," she said.

Rev Wooff confirmed the church was closed and that she was working with the community and authorities.

The Metropolitan Police said they were called to the street at 3.23am on Thursday and that no-one had been injured in the incident.

A Greenwich Council spokesman said they are working with Thames Water and Southern Gas Networks at the scene.

The road has been cordoned off and buses are being diverted.