Sinkhole Swallows Truck, SUV in Omaha

Dramatic incident captured on surveillance video in trendy section of city

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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A sinkhole opened up on a busy intersection in south-central Omaha, Nebraska, swallowing up a sport utility vehicle and a pickup truck that were waiting at a red light. Neither driver was injured, and bystanders helped the SUV driver climb out of the hole.

Why it matters

Sinkholes can pose a serious threat to public safety, especially in urban areas with heavy traffic. This incident highlights the importance of infrastructure maintenance and the need for quick response from emergency services to mitigate the risks.

The details

Surveillance video captured the moment the pavement gave way, dropping the two vehicles several feet into the sinkhole. The driver of the truck was able to get out on his own, then helped the SUV driver climb out with the assistance of other bystanders. Omaha Public Works determined the sinkhole was caused by a water main break.

  • The incident happened on Tuesday afternoon.
  • The vehicles were towed out of the sinkhole by Tuesday evening.

The players

Omaha Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that responded to the incident and provided a statement.

Omaha Public Works

The city department responsible for infrastructure maintenance that determined the sinkhole was caused by a water main break.

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What they’re saying

“We are grateful to them for jumping into action and quickly providing help.”

— Officer Sarah Martier, Omaha Police Department spokesperson (Omaha World-Herald)

The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of proactive infrastructure maintenance and emergency preparedness in urban areas, as sinkholes can pose a serious threat to public safety if not addressed promptly.