Water main break causes sinkhole in Central Falls

A water main break caused a sinkhole in Central Falls around noon on Tuesday.

NBC 10 News crews captured a photo of a pickup truck that collapsed into the hole.

According to the deputy fire chief, a police officer who was working a detail nearby rushed to the scene and was able safely remove Joe Antues of North Providence, who was the driver of the truck, from one of the vehicle's windows.

"I held onto him as he unbuckled himself and just helped pull him out of the car and away from the hole that he was in," said Lt. Craig Horton of the Central Falls Police Department. "It could have gotten even worse. That truck may have gone completely under."

The sink hole is located at the intersection of Hunt and Liberty Streets.

National Grid, along with the Pawtucket Water Supply Board, were also at the scene.

The Pawtucket Water Supply Board turned off the water before a tow truck removed the pickup truck.

Surrounding roads have been temporarily closed as officials clear the scene.

Around 7 p.m., officials said most of the water service had been restored. They are expecting the rest of the properties to be turned on by midnight. By Wednesday morning, they said, everyone should have water.

Officials also noted that they hope to begin patching the sinkhole on Wednesday.

It was unclear if the morning's heavy rain impacted the issue.

Meanwhile, Tiverton police reported that there is also a possible sink hole in their city at the intersection of Fish Road and Canonicus Street.

Authorities are advising motorists to seek alternative routes and use caution as they assess the areas.