Nebraska-Omaha Basketball Players Rescue Drivers From Sinkhole

Olivia Borsutzki and Esra Kurban sprang into action to help after two cars fell into a sinkhole in Omaha.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 2:39am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Two women's basketball players from the University of Nebraska-Omaha, Olivia Borsutzki and Esra Kurban, helped rescue two drivers who had fallen into a sinkhole in Omaha, Nebraska. The players were driving back from practice when they noticed the sinkhole and the trapped drivers, and they quickly jumped into action to pull the drivers to safety before emergency responders arrived.

Why it matters

The quick thinking and bravery of the Nebraska-Omaha players highlights the importance of being willing to help others in emergency situations, even when others around may be hesitant to get involved. Their actions likely saved the trapped drivers from serious harm and set an example of civic responsibility.

The details

Borsutzki and Kurban were driving back from basketball practice when they noticed a driver exiting a car in the middle of an intersection. Upon closer inspection, they saw that two cars had fallen into a large sinkhole. Without hesitation, the players pulled over and ran to help the trapped drivers, struggling to pull one man out of the hole themselves before calling over another bystander for assistance. Both drivers were safely extracted from the sinkhole before police arrived on the scene.

  • On Tuesday, February 24, 2026, Borsutzki and Kurban were driving back from basketball practice when they came across the sinkhole incident.
  • The players arrived on the scene and helped rescue the trapped drivers just moments before police arrived.

The players

Olivia Borsutzki

A women's basketball player at the University of Nebraska-Omaha who helped rescue the trapped drivers from the sinkhole.

Esra Kurban

A women's basketball player at the University of Nebraska-Omaha who assisted Borsutzki in rescuing the trapped drivers from the sinkhole.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“At first I thought it was just an accident. I pulled over because something was wrong.”

— Olivia Borsutzki, University of Nebraska-Omaha Women's Basketball Player

“We were at the light, just waiting for it to turn green and I saw that lady leaving the car, and I was like, 'Oh!' It seemed like an accident, and then I looked closer … and I was like, 'Oh there's actually someone in the ground.'”

— Olivia Borsutzki, University of Nebraska-Omaha Women's Basketball Player

“On the news, it doesn't look that scary, not that deep. But standing right in front of the hole is — it was scary.”

— Olivia Borsutzki, University of Nebraska-Omaha Women's Basketball Player

“I wasn't really thinking in that moment. I was just like, 'I need to help this man who is stuck in a hole.'”

— Olivia Borsutzki, University of Nebraska-Omaha Women's Basketball Player

What’s next

The Omaha Police Department is investigating the cause of the sinkhole and will work to ensure the intersection is safe for drivers going forward.

The takeaway

The quick actions of the Nebraska-Omaha basketball players to help rescue the trapped drivers highlight the importance of being willing to assist others in emergency situations, even when others may be hesitant to get involved. Their bravery and civic responsibility set a positive example for the community.