The cabbie, named Guo, ran from his car after the 13ft deep chasm opened up in Ningxia, northern China.
The 33-year-old had just dropped off a fare. 'After my passenger got out, I drove forwards, then my car suddenly began sinking into the ground. I was shocked and immediately tried to open my door to get out,' he said. 'But my car became misshapen in the sinkhole, so I had to kick it open and ran out.'
City officials blamed a burst pipe for the giant crater, saying the water main in a nearby residential area broke as a result of torrential rain and saturated the ground.
The cabbie doesn't know if he will be compensated for the loss of his car. 'It was with me for three years and is my main means of income, so I feel bad about that,' he said.
Driver Guo sprints to freedom
Comment: The lowdown on sinkholes: