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Massive Sinkhole Opens Up On Garden State Parkway

SOUTH AMBOY, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Crews are working to repair a massive sinkhole which opened up in the middle of the southbound Garden State Parkway on Thursday morning.

The four-foot-wide sinkhole disabled 18 vehicles after it opened up around 6 a.m. in the right lane at the approach of the Driscoll Bridge near mile marker 128, CBS 2's Weijia Jiang reported.

The drive to work turned into a nightmarish ride for Staten Island resident Brenden Colon.

"I seen it, but I couldn't get over to pass, it was just horrible," Colon said. "I was definitely shaken up."

A sinkhole forms when the earth underneath the surface crumbles.

Garden State Parkway Sinkhole
A sinkhole on the Garden State Parkway (credit: CBS 2)

Mechanics who towed away vehicles from the scene said sinkholes can be especially dangerous when vehicles are traveling at a high rate of speed.

"It's hectic trying to get everybody off the highway safely," explained Kyle Herzig from King High Garage.

Most of the vehicles that came into contact with the sinkhole ended up with flat tires and dented rims, police said.

No injuries were reported.

Repair work is expected to be completed by mid-afternoon.

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