One dead as car plunges into water-filled Texas sinkhole

Sheriff’s deputy killed when ruptured sewer line caused road to cave in after heavy rains

The sinkhole that opened up Sunday in San Antonio, killing an off-duty sheriff’s deputy. Photograph: San Antonio Fire Department via AP
The sinkhole that opened up Sunday in San Antonio, killing an off-duty sheriff’s deputy. Photograph: San Antonio Fire Department via AP

An off-duty sheriff’s deputy has died and two other people hurt when two vehicles plunged into a water-filled sinkhole in San Antonio, Texas.

Bexar County Sheriff’s Office identified the victim as Dora Linda Nishihara (69), who was a courthouse bailiff.

A crane was used to retrieve her car from water about 3.6m (12ft) deep. Ms Nishihara’s body was inside the vehicle.

Dora Linda Nishihara: The off-duty courthouse bailiff died after her car plunged into a 3.6m-deep sinkhole  in San Antonio on Sunday. Photograph: Courtesy Bexar County Sheriff’s Office
Dora Linda Nishihara: The off-duty courthouse bailiff died after her car plunged into a 3.6m-deep sinkhole in San Antonio on Sunday. Photograph: Courtesy Bexar County Sheriff’s Office

Sheriff’s spokesman James Keith said Ms Nishihara was not working on Sunday when her vehicle went into the sinkhole.

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Utility officials said the sinkhole appeared after a sewer line ruptured during heavy rain earlier on Sunday.

Authorities say two passers-by rescued a driver after another vehicle went into the sinkhole on Sunday night. That driver and one of his rescuers were treated for minor injuries.

AP