Disabled grandmother almost drowns after falling into water-filled sinkhole whereas attempting to rescue her canine after it plunged into 12ft deep crater

A disabled grandmother nearly drowned after falling into a water-filled 12ft deep sinkhole while trying to save her dog.

Carol Carne was walking her three cockapoos in Eston Recreation Ground in North Yorkshire when three-year-old Ruby fell into what has been described as a sinkhole.

As her owner tried to use one of her crutches to hook under Ruby’s coat, the ground gave way beneath, plunging her into the freezing water, estimated to be about 12ft deep.

The 61-year-old said: ‘The water just pulled me under and every time I tried to grab hold at the top the ground was just coming away. I knew I had seen two women in the park and I was screaming for help.

‘My boots and coat were so soaked and heavy, I just kept getting pulled back under the water and I never touched the bottom.’

Luckily for Ms Carne, the two women heard her cries for help, however they were unable to drag her out by themselves. 

Fortunately a man was in the park and saw the drama. He rushed to the scene and between them they managed to pull Ms Carne and Ruby to safety.

The disabled grandmother said: ‘If it had not been for those people, I wouldn’t be here today, I would have drowned. The water was so cold and I just couldn’t pull myself out.’

Carol Carne was walking her three cockapoos in Eston Recreation Ground in North Yorkshire when three-year-old Ruby fell into what has been described as a sinkhole

As her owner tried to use one of her crutches to hook under Ruby’s coat, the ground gave way beneath, plunging her into the freezing water, estimated to be about 12ft deep

 The ordeal took place on Friday and Ms Carne said she couldn’t see the hole until she was nearly upon it. 

She called the dogs back, but Ruby unfortunately felll in.

She added: ‘At first I thought it was just a deep puddle.’

Ms Carne says she has heard another dog has since fallen into the water and thankfully been pulled to safety, saying: ‘I am scared a child, or somebody else, is going to fall in and they might 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 has heard the hole is an old mine shaft, but says it is close to the footpath and getting bigger every day. She said: ‘I don’t think it will be long before the path falls away.’

Thankfully she and Ruby suffered no physical injuries during their ordeal, but Ms Carne said they are both very shaken up. 

Thankfully she and Ruby suffered no physical injuries during their ordeal, but Carol said they are both very shaken up 

She said: ‘I have cried buckets over it when I think about what might have happened and Ruby is very quiet and clingy.’

A spokesman for Redcar and Cleveland Council said: ‘Our staff are at the site today to again secure the site around the hole with Heras Fencing, and 24-hour security will be on site to ensure the safety of the public. 

‘The site was secured earlier this week, again with Heras Fencing, but this was taken down by persons unknown.

‘We hope the woman affected makes a full recovery and we would like to thank the members of the public who came to her aid. 

‘We would like to again ask residents to please avoid the area around the hole for their own safety.’