'The Earth Ate My Mini': Cornish Man's 25-Day Ordeal
A Cornish man has found himself trapped in what he describes as a bureaucratic "nightmare" after his beloved car was swallowed by a sudden sinkhole that appeared outside his Redruth home.
Malcolm McKenzie, a 36-year-old self-employed designer, first learned about his automotive disaster when a panicked neighbour came banging on his door on Saturday, 1st November.
"I went out expecting a small pothole under a wheel or something," McKenzie recalled. "But when I went out to take a look, I realised, oh, that really is a proper hole."
The Sinkhole That Started It All
What McKenzie discovered was far worse than anticipated. His prized Mini had plunged into a 3-metre wide opening that may have been created by the collapse of an old mineshaft.
The incident immediately prompted emergency measures, with police closing off the area and residents temporarily confined to their homes for safety reasons.
"We all had to stay in the houses because we can't get out without going past the hole," McKenzie explained. "The highways people came out, put the fence up, and then they came out and put a second fence up around it as well."
Local authorities believe the sinkhole might be an unfortunate legacy of the nearby Pednandrea Mine, a disused copper and tin operation that once operated in the area.
Bureaucratic Red Tape and Unregistered Land
What McKenzie initially thought would be a few days without his car has stretched into a 25-day bureaucratic struggle with no simple resolution in sight.
The core of the problem lies in land ownership - or rather, the lack thereof. The land where the sinkhole appeared isn't registered to anyone, creating a legal limbo that has prevented any single authority from taking responsibility.
Cornwall Council has stated it cannot remove the safety barriers cordoning off the dangerous opening until land ownership has been properly established.
"It's a bit of a nightmare," McKenzie expressed with frustration. "It's red tape everywhere."
The self-employed designer has lived in the Redruth area for approximately 10 years and typically parks outside a nearby bakery because his designated parking space beside his house is too narrow to be practical.
McKenzie had been conscientious about his parking arrangements, having checked with both the bakery and the council to ensure he wouldn't receive parking tickets.
A Labour of Love Now Damaged Beyond Repair
The sunken vehicle represents more than just transportation for McKenzie, who describes himself as a car enthusiast. He spent a full year saving for the Mini and personalising it to his tastes.
The car's deliberately rusty bonnet was part of his chosen "rat rod" aesthetic, a style he had carefully cultivated.
Just months before the sinkhole incident, the Mini had passed its MOT in October with flying colours. McKenzie recalls the mechanic describing it as "the nicest Mini he had ever had on his ramp."
"I'd finally felt like I was getting somewhere," McKenzie reflected. "I had a reliable little car that was economical and easy to keep on the road. It meant I could finally focus on trying to save up to take my daughter on her dream trip to Japan one day. She's always wanted to go."
A Glimmer of Hope Amid the Frustration
After nearly four weeks of bureaucratic deadlock, there may finally be light at the end of the tunnel.
Cornwall Council has indicated it will work with McKenzie to temporarily lift the barriers, allowing for the vehicle's recovery by his insurance company's recovery team.
"They are willing to work with my insurance company's recovery team and try to arrange a date and an acceptable way of getting it out that doesn't put anybody at risk," McKenzie confirmed.
Unfortunately, the Mini has sustained significant damage during its prolonged submersion and is likely to be written off by insurers.
Despite the disappointment and frustration, McKenzie has maintained his sense of humour about the unusual situation.
"At least I can say my Mini went out in style - not everyone can claim their car was eaten by the Earth itself," he quipped.
Council's Position on the Matter
A spokesperson from Cornwall Council expressed sympathy for McKenzie's predicament but emphasised the legal complexities involved.
"This collapse did not occur on council land," the spokesperson stated. "We have made the area safe and advised the car owner that we will arrange to lift the barrier to enable him to recover the vehicle."
"As the land is unregistered, our barriers will remain in place until land ownership has been determined, and we will continue to monitor the surrounding area to ensure public safety."
The council confirmed it would maintain the safety barriers around the sinkhole until the land ownership question is resolved, prioritising public safety throughout the process.
