Holistic living made easy with BIPOC-centered, clean, and soulful product picks

Video shows horrifying sinkhole that screaming man was sucked into from his bedroom and hasn’t been seen since : The Hearty Soul


In the early hours of February 28, 2013, a peaceful night in Seffner, Florida, turned into a nightmare. Jeffrey Bush, 37, was asleep in his bedroom when a massive sinkhole suddenly opened directly beneath his bed. The event was so abrupt and violent that he had no time to escape. His brother, Jeremy Bush, was in the next room and heard a loud crash followed by a terrifying scream. When he rushed in to help, he found the bedroom had completely vanished. The floor had caved in, leaving behind a gaping hole filled with darkness and debris.

A Desperate Attempt to Save a Brother

Seffner sinkhole that swallowed man in 2013
Image Credit: ABC News

Jeremy Bush reacted instinctively. He leaped into the hole without hesitation, trying to dig through the loose earth to rescue his brother. He could still hear Jeffrey calling out and clung to the hope that he might reach him in time. As he scrambled through the collapsing ground, the earth continued to crumble beneath his feet. First responders arrived and pulled Jeremy out just before more of the structure gave way, likely saving his life. Tragically, the cries from Jeffrey ceased, and no further signs of life came from below.

Emergency Crews Confront a Grim Reality

Image of the hole left in the Bush's home after a sinkhole opened in 2013
Image Credit: Fox News

Emergency personnel from Hillsborough County Fire Rescue arrived with specialized equipment and rescue dogs. The hope was to locate Jeffrey quickly and pull him to safety. However, the sinkhole was vast, extending more than 20 feet across and plunging at least 50 feet deep. Officials assessed the scene and declared it too unstable for anyone to enter. The ground was still shifting, and any attempt to descend could cost more lives. Despite their best efforts, rescue operations were soon suspended, and recovery turned into a matter of containment.

A Neighborhood in Shock

a sinkhole that in 2013 fatally swallowed a man sleeping in his own house.
Image Credit: Fox News

The small, quiet community of Seffner was overwhelmed with grief and disbelief. Residents watched from their lawns and porches as emergency vehicles filled the street. Reporters gathered to cover the unfolding tragedy, which quickly gained national attention. Neighbors expressed fear, sadness, and sympathy for the Bush family. Many were shaken by the realization that such a catastrophe could happen in their own backyards without any warning. The sheer randomness of the event was a cruel reminder that safety is not always guaranteed.

A Home Reduced to Rubble

The Bush's home and two other homes were demolished after the 2013 sinkhole opened
Image Credit: Fox News

Authorities made the heartbreaking decision to demolish the Bush family home. The structure had been severely compromised, and the sinkhole continued to grow. Engineers determined that demolition was necessary to prevent further collapse. Heavy machinery was brought in to knock down what remained. Efforts were made to retrieve any items of sentimental value, but the risk of further cave-ins limited what could be recovered. Eventually, the hole was filled with gravel and soil to stabilize the ground, but the emotional damage was irreversible.

The Deep Psychological Toll

Jeffery Bush was killed when a sinkhole opened in Seffner in 2013
Image Credit: Provided

For the Bush family, the loss extended far beyond the physical destruction of their home. Losing Jeffrey in such a traumatic way left scars that words could not heal. Jeremy Bush later told reporters that he continued to have nightmares about that night. He struggled with guilt, wondering if he could have done more to save his brother. The lack of a body or a proper burial only intensified the grief. Counselors were made available to the family and community members, but healing would take years, if it ever fully arrived.

Sinkholes: A Hidden Danger Beneath the Surface

This photo provided by Hillsborough County, Fla., shows a sinkhole that in 2013 fatally swallowed a man sleeping in his own house.
Image Credit: Todd Pratt/Hillsborough County

Florida is particularly susceptible to sinkholes because of its unique geology. The ground is composed of limestone, which is porous and dissolves easily when exposed to water. This creates underground cavities that can suddenly collapse without warning. While many sinkholes are small and harmless, others can be catastrophic. The Seffner sinkhole drew attention to the need for better monitoring and increased awareness. Homeowners began questioning the safety of their properties, and local officials explored ways to prevent future tragedies through stricter building regulations and early detection systems.

A Chilling Moment Captured on Camera

Jeremy Bush often visits the site of the sinkhole to honor his brothe
Image Credit: Todd Pratt/Hillsborough County

Footage taken in the aftermath shows the gaping void where a bedroom once stood. Broken beams, crumpled furniture, and loose debris surrounded the edge of the hole, giving a glimpse into the chaos that had unfolded. The silence in the video is unsettling. There are no signs of life, only a vast emptiness that swallowed a man whole. The haunting footage circulated widely, sparking conversations about the terrifying unpredictability of nature and the vulnerability of everyday life.

A Tragedy That Will Not Be Forgotten

This photo provided by Hillsborough County, Fla., shows a sinkhole that in 2013 fatally swallowed a man sleeping in his own house
Image Credit: Todd Pratt/Hillsborough County

More than a decade later, the story of Jeffrey Bush still resonates. It is remembered not just because of its horrifying nature, but because it speaks to the fragility of the human experience. A man went to bed in his own home, never knowing that the ground beneath him was about to vanish. His story serves as a somber reminder that life can change in an instant, and that nature, for all its beauty, can also be relentless and cruel. Though Jeffrey was never found, his memory lives on in the hearts of his loved ones and the collective consciousness of a community that will never forget.

2010 Guatemala City Sinkhole: A Volcanic Collapse Beneath the Streets

A sinkhole that swallowed a factory in Guatemala City. In April 2007 another sinkhole in the same area killed three people.
Image Credit: Moises Castillo

In May 2010, residents of Guatemala City were stunned when a massive sinkhole opened up in the middle of a busy intersection during Tropical Storm Agatha. Measuring around 60 feet wide and an estimated 300 feet deep, the hole swallowed an entire three-story building, including a clothing factory and part of the street. Photos of the nearly perfectly circular pit quickly went viral, drawing global attention.

Authorities later confirmed that the event was caused not by the usual limestone erosion, but by a process known as “piping.” Years of leaking sewer and stormwater pipes had slowly eroded the volcanic pumice and ash beneath the city. When the weakened underground layers could no longer support the weight above, the collapse occurred instantly. One man was killed in the event, and other buildings in the area were evacuated due to safety concerns. The incident highlighted the vulnerabilities of urban infrastructure built on unstable volcanic terrain.

2015 Harbin, China Sinkhole: Bus Stop Turns Deadly

On August 22, 2015, in Harbin, China, commuters waiting at a bus stop suddenly found the ground opening beneath their feet
Image Credit: ABC News

On August 22, 2015, in Harbin, China, commuters waiting at a bus stop suddenly found the ground opening beneath their feet. A sinkhole formed without warning, pulling five people into a ten-foot-deep cavity. Surveillance footage shows the pavement collapsing in seconds, with bystanders rushing to help. Emergency services responded quickly, and all five individuals were rescued and treated for injuries. Authorities later traced the cause to leaking underground pipes that had weakened the soil beneath the sidewalk. After heavy rainfall, the saturated ground gave way. Although there were no fatalities, the event sparked concerns about aging infrastructure and prompted inspections of similar public areas throughout the city.

A Comparative Look at Global Sinkhole Events

Seffner sinkhole that swallowed man in 2013
Image Credit: ABC News

Each of these events, though separated by geography and geology, shares a common theme: ground instability caused by water erosion or structural failure beneath the surface. In Seffner, Florida, a man was lost forever to a hidden cavern beneath his home. Guatemala City saw storm runoff and poor drainage systems lead to a gaping hole that swallowed buildings.

In Harbin, water damage from damaged pipes caused a section of city pavement to collapse and endangered the lives of commuters. These sinkholes serve as stark reminders that even solid ground can be deceptive. Whether the result of natural processes or human error, the consequences can be sudden and devastating. Improved monitoring, better infrastructure, and emergency preparedness remain crucial to preventing future tragedies.

Read More: Stunning Before-And-After Images Show Swiss Village Buried by Glacier





Source link

We will be happy to hear your thoughts

Leave a reply

TheKrisList
Logo
Register New Account
Compare items
  • Total (0)
Compare
0
Shopping cart