THE towpath by Kew Gardens on the Thames collapsed into the river yesterday, Sunday.
It leaving a large hole as it slid into the water, Roger Fox reports.
This has closed the towpath completely it being impassible with the river flowing through the hole. (Image by Edward Ward.)
Stranded
There were walkers and joggers stranded at each side, with panic as the ground disappeared.
The towpath collapse is on the south embankment between Kew Gardens and Richmond Lock, with no way of getting past the hole it being so large there is no way around its side and is too wide to jump.
The area has now been cordoned off and there are fears that the repair will take weeks or months to repair.
Landslide
The Port of London Authority state that this is part of a landside consisting of earth, debris and trees that has reduced the navigable depth of water in the Thames in this area and poses a potential hazard to navigation.