Woman falls 2.4 metres into sinkhole on her 47th birthday
Danielle Tammone fell into an eight-foot hole in her Long Island backyard on September 17, trapped for about half an hour.
On her 47th birthday, Danielle Tammone walked across her backyard on Long Island, New York, when the ground suddenly gave way beneath her. Danielle Tammone fell into a hole about 2.4 metres deep and screamed for help, fearing she would suffocate.
Neighbors heard her desperate cries and called 911. Emergency responders rescued her using a ladder through mud, water and roots.
Tammone, a physical therapist, suffered whiplash and pulled muscles from the fall. As she emerged, first responders sang happy birthday to her.
- 2.4 metres
- Hole depth
- 47
- Age
- about half an hour
- Time trapped
- September 17
- Date
Why it mattersSinkholes and ground collapses happen suddenly and can trap people; the rescue shows how quickly neighbors and emergency responders can make the difference.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect yet, though ground collapses from underground cavities can occur in parts of Australia depending on geology and soil conditions.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 4 d ago
