Sinkhole devours Jayco van
Caravan and 4WD in Inskip Point ‘sinkhole’ lost forever as rescue attempt abandonedA recovery team has abandoned attempts to rescue a Jayco Sterling caravan and 4WD tow vehicle swallowed by a large sinkhole at a campground near Rainbow Beach in Queensland.
The tow vehicle and caravan along with a camper trailer and tents toppled into the ocean a few days ago when the beach collapsed at the MV Beagle Campground at Inskip Point, just south of Fraser Island.
The van’s owners and full-time grey nomads Jenny and Dieter Gass managed to scramble to safety.
The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) said rescue crews managed to recover a camper trailer as well as parts of the caravan and “miscellaneous floating debris”, but that “the caravan chassis, deeply embedded in the underwater sand bed, was not recoverable and there remains no sign of the four-wheel-drive”.
“Diving and recovery specialists have advised that they are unable to retrieve the remaining vehicles and efforts to do so will cease from today,” the QPWS said in a statement.
“However, the site will be cleared, secured and barricaded.
“QPWS will install safety warning signage at the site as a matter of priority to ensure the remaining debris poses minimal risk to the public.
“For public safety, the MV Beagle campground and the eastern section of Sarawak campground, where the landslide occurred, remain closed and the public should avoid these areas.
“Geotechnical reports say limited, minor coastal erosion may continue for some weeks and these areas will be closed until further notice.
“MV Natone, SS Dorrigo and The Oaks campgrounds remain open, as does access to the barge via Inskip Point road.
“Geotechnical reports also say that as tidal actions deposit sand back into the hole caused by the landslide, the area will progressively become more stable.
The QPWS said the size of the hole, reportedly nine metres deep and spanning two sports ovals, has not increased.
Those intending to camp in the area can phone 13 QGOV (13 74 68) if they have any questions.
See below for some footage of the site...
And to see how it can happen, here's a video of an earlier beach collapse in the same area...
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