New aerial images reveal narrowboats still trapped in a collapsed section of a historic canal, one full week after its embankment dramatically gave way. The significant breach occurred on the Llangollen Canal near Whitchurch, Shropshire, on December 22, creating a giant sinkhole and stranding several vessels.
Emergency Response and Ongoing Recovery
Emergency services were called to the Chemistry area of Whitchurch in the early hours following the breach at around 4.40am. A sinkhole measuring approximately 50 metres by 50 metres (164ft by 164ft) opened up, engulfing three narrowboats. At least 10 people required rescue from their vessels in the immediate aftermath.
One week later, recovery work continues at pace. Pictures from the scene show emergency workers using boat turners in an attempt to winch the stranded craft to safety. Pumps have also been deployed to manage water levels and prevent further catastrophic flooding in the area.
The Canal and River Trust confirmed that teams are working to refill the canal around the breach site. Chief Executive Campbell Robb stated: "Now the initial emergency response... has passed, our teams have been working hard to refill the Llangollen Canal around the site of the breach." He added that engineers are investigating the cause of the embankment failure and drawing up repair plans.
Eyewitness Account of the Chaos
Phil Johnson, 56, described waking to the sounds of "cracking and banging" as the disaster unfolded. He recounted seeing water rushing past his boat at "horrendous speed" and hearing a sound like a waterfall.
"I went and had a look and was greeted by the most horrendous sight of seeing this boat stuck in the breach at the bottom, being basically flooded," Mr Johnson said. He witnessed a second boat "teetering on the edge" before it slowly fell into the hole, a sight he compared to a scene from the film Titanic.
Returning to his own boat to grab clothes, Mr Johnson admitted he was "frightened to death" as the vessel felt like it was going to tip over. "It was probably one of the scariest things of my life," he added.
Looking Ahead and Community Support
The Canal and River Trust has reported some progress, having successfully recovered the narrowboat Pacemaker from the edge of the breach overnight. Mr Robb noted that with most boats now refloating, support will continue for those affected.
He thanked Shropshire Council for their initial support for people and pets caught up in the incident, acknowledging that breaches of this scale, while rare, are "expensive and complicated to fix." The Trust has pledged to provide regular updates to the local and boating community in the coming weeks as investigations and the complex repair work continue.
