Gran, 61, barely escapes with his life after saving a dog from a frozen sinkhole | United Kingdom | News

A disabled grandmother was left terrified and screaming for help when she fell into an icy sinkhole while trying to save her dog.

Carol Carne was out walking her three cockapoos at Eston Recreation Ground, Eston, North Yorkshire, when three-year-old Ruby fell into what onlookers described as a sinkhole.

When Carol tried to use one of her crutches to get under Ruby’s coat, the ground gave way beneath her and she was submerged in the freezing water, which is estimated to be about 12 feet deep.

The 61-year-old man he told TeesideLive: “The water just pulled me under and every time I tried to grab on top, the ground just moved away. I knew I had seen two women in the park and was screaming for help.

“My boots and coat were so soaked and heavy that they kept getting dragged under the water and I never touched the bottom.”

Fortunately, the two women heard her screams for help, but were unable to get her out on their own.

Fortunately, a man was in the park and saw the drama. They ran to the scene and between them they managed to get Carol and Ruby to safety.

Carol said: “If it hadn’t been for those people I wouldn’t be here today, I would have drowned. The water was so cold I couldn’t get out.”

The ordeal took place on Friday and Carol said she couldn’t see the hole until she was almost over it.

He called the dogs, but Ruby unfortunately fell. Carol said: “At first I thought it was just a deep puddle.”

Carol says she heard another dog fall into the water and luckily was pulled to safety.

She said: “I’m afraid that a child, or someone else, will fall and not be as lucky as me.

“If it hadn’t been for those people, I wouldn’t be here today.”

The grandmother of six said she had heard the hole is an old mine shaft, but she says it is close to the trail and is getting bigger every day.

He added: “I don’t think it will be long before the road disappears.”

Fortunately, she and Ruby did not suffer physical injuries during their ordeal, but Carol said they are both very shaken. She said: “I’ve cried my eyes out about it when I think about what could have happened and Ruby is so quiet and clingy.”

a spokesperson for red car and Cleveland City Council said staff had been at the site again today to secure it with fencing.

He said: “There will be 24-hour security at the site to ensure the safety of the public. “The site was secured earlier this week, again with Heras Fencing, but was taken down by unknown persons.

“We hope that the affected woman makes a full recovery and would like to thank the public who came to her aid. We would like to again ask residents to avoid the area around the hole for their own safety.”