A motorist had a miracle escape after driving their car into a SINKHOLE - which opened on a suburban street.

The massive hole appeared in the early hours of this morning as Storm Ciara raged.

Echo:

Pictured - Ollie Watson, 50, happened upon the scene this morning

Pictures from the bizarre incident on Hatch Road, in Brentwood, shows what appears to be a Toyota nose first in the huge hole.

Emergency services can also be seen at the scene.

Local Ollie Watson, 50, stumbled upon the dramatic scene outside his house at around 2.30am.

He said he didn't hear the crash - which happened a few doors down - and only went to investigate after his daughter mentioned a disturbance outside.

He said: "I thought it was a road accident at first. We didn't hear it. Our daughter heard a bit of a commotion.

"We then thought that the fire brigade had cut the car in half - but it was actually just sticking out of the hole.

"It's very unusual. My neighbours were out there, and a few people from across the road.

"I imagine that it will sit there for a while. They must be worried about more sinking, I suppose.

"I had to be let through the cordon to go to work this morning."

An Essex County Fire and Rescue spokesman said: "Firefighters were called to Hatch Road, Pilgrims Hatch at 1.34am after reports that a road had partially collapsed.

"On arrival, crews reported that the hole extended into the road and a car was trapped.

"Six properties were evacuated due to unstable ground.

"Crews worked to make the scene safe by 3.53am before leaving it in the care of Anglian Water and Essex and Suffolk Water. 

An Anglian Water spokesperson added: “We are currently onsite on Hatch Road, Pilgrims Hatch in Brentwood investigating a sink hole which has opened up in the road.

"We are working with other utilities (water and gas) plus the local police to assess if any of our pipes have been damaged.”