Whaley Bridge dam Collapses

Town evacuated as dam wall collapses. Police tell Whaley Bridge’s 6, 500 residents to gather at a school amid fears a reservoir could burst.

Engineers are pumping water from the 300-million-gallon Toodbrook Reservoir amid fears it could burst and swamp Whaley Bridge in Derbyshire.

A severe flood warning has been issued for the River Goyt below the reservoir.

Julie Sharman, Chief Operating Officer of the Canal and River Trust said “ The spillway for the dam has broken away. We are trying to lower the level of the water in the dam in order to reduce the risk o further erosion. There’s a risk the dam could break”.

Police have told the town’s 6, 500 residents to gather at a school, taking pets and medications with them.