'The Earth Ate My Mini': A Sinkhole Saga in Cornwall
For Malcolm McKenzie, a simple knock on his door on Saturday, 1 November, marked the beginning of an unbelievable and frustrating ordeal. A panicked neighbour alerted the 36-year-old self-employed designer that his beloved Mini car had been swallowed by the ground outside his home in Redruth, Cornwall.
What he expected to be a minor pothole turned out to be a gaping 3-metre wide chasm, believed to be a legacy of the disused Pednandrea copper and tin mine. His prized vehicle had plunged deep into the earth, but that was only the start of his problems.
A Bureaucratic Black Hole
McKenzie initially believed he would be without his car for just a few days. However, he soon found himself trapped in a 25-day bureaucratic "nightmare". The core of the issue lies in the land itself: it is unregistered, meaning no official owner is listed.
Cornwall Council confirmed that while they had made the area safe by erecting barriers and even a second fence for extra security, they could not remove them or the car until land ownership was established. "It's red tape everywhere," McKenzie lamented, describing the endless loops and lack of a clear responsible party.
The situation was particularly galling as McKenzie had been conscientious about where he parked. With a too-narrow space beside his house, he had checked with both a nearby bakery and the council to ensure parking on the street was permitted and he wouldn't receive a ticket.
More Than Just a Car
This was no ordinary vehicle to McKenzie. A self-confessed car enthusiast, he had spent a year saving for the Mini and customising it to achieve a specific "rat rod" aesthetic, complete with a deliberately rusty bonnet.
The car was more than a style statement; it was a symbol of stability and a means to a dream. Having just passed its MOT in October with flying colours, it represented reliable and economical transport. "It meant I could finally focus on trying to save up to take my daughter on her dream trip to Japan one day," he shared. "She's always wanted to go."
A Glimmer of Resolution
After weeks of uncertainty, a potential solution has emerged. The council has stated it sympathises with McKenzie's plight and is now willing to work with him and his insurance company's recovery team.
They have agreed to temporarily lift the barriers to allow for the safe extraction of the vehicle. Unfortunately, the Mini has been so badly damaged by the fall that it is likely to be written off.
Finding a sliver of humour in the bizarre situation, McKenzie remarked, "At least I can say my Mini went out in style – not everyone can claim their car was eaten by the Earth itself."
A spokesperson for Cornwall Council reiterated their position: "This collapse did not occur on council land. We have made the area safe and advised the car owner that we will arrange to lift the barrier to enable him to recover the vehicle." They confirmed the barriers will remain until land ownership is determined to ensure ongoing public safety.
