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Crews Work To Repair Fenway Water Main Break That Swallowed Truck

BOSTON (CBS) – Crews were working Tuesday morning to get a water main break that left traffic snarled in the Fenway area repaired before the evening commute.

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Rushing water filled the street at the intersection of Park Drive, Brookline Avenue, and Boylston Street after the 12-inch pipe burst around 4:40 a.m.

water main break
The break flooded the intersection of Brookline Avenue and Park Drive. (WBZ-TV)

Hours later, the the Boston Water and Sewer Commission truck on scene to suck out water and debris from the flood fell through and weakened the road.

truck stuck after water main break
The truck is stuck at the intersection of Brookline Avenue and Park Drive. (Photo credit: Nicole Jacobs - WBZ-TV)

"It's just crazy, I can't believe it actually happened," commuter Amy Hurst told WBZ-TV's Nicole Jacobs. "Like, a sinkhole in the middle of Boston? You never see that."

The driver was not hurt, but the truck stayed perched in its position until a tow truck could arrive to free it.

Meanwhile, a second truck arrived to continue repair work.

Police shut down Brookline Avenue from Kenmore Square to Longwood Avenue.

Officials said the pipe that broke was approximately 100 years old.

water main break
The break flooded the intersection of Brookline Avenue and Park Drive. (WBZ-TV)

Traffic was being diverted onto Park Drive and Boylston Street while repairs are done.

water main break
The break flooded the intersection of Brookline Avenue and Park Drive. (WBZ-TV)

Officials said the traffic pattern would change as repairs were made, and advised commuters to stay away from the area since the work was expected to take until around 5 p.m.

Water was temporarily shut off for the surrounding blocks, but was restored around 2:45 p.m., according to Boston Water and Sewer.

Officials said there was no property damage in the area.

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