Mayor: Sink Hole Not a Zombie Uprising, Woman Still Missing

One woman is missing after a pot hole on Main Street turned into a sink hole and area residents are horrified by the possibility a zombie uprising once predicted by Mayor Jim McElroy may be underway. Eighty-three year-old Nut Mountain resident Harriett Herdman, who recently was released from hospital after waiting all night for a malfunctioning walk light, is missing and presumed dead, or in China.

"Obviously we're making phone calls to Beijing on this issue but we're not optimistic," said Chad Langhorst, Director of Infrastructure Incidents with the town. "Her shopping cart and purse are down there, along with two bottles of fungus ointment purchased earlier this afternoon at the drug store." 

Mountaineers have been confined to their homes, many with shotguns at the ready, due to rumours spread on social media claiming the hole is the beginning of a zombie uprising. Mayor Mack, however, denied the rumours on his Twitter account, telling residents to be calm and that he's been told zombies are not responsible. 

However, the mayor has not been available for comment since then. His truck is not at town hall, parked outside Hazel's Bar and Grill or at his home. A neighbour, who wishes to remain anonymous, told us McElroy packed up some survival gear, loaded his truck with gasoline containers and sped out of town late this afternoon.

Staff from The News witnessed shots being fired at town workers who were cordoning off the sink hole area late Friday. A standoff may still be underway between police and frightened residents who assume the police are zombies.

Area geologist Darell Neveux said sink holes are caused by chemical processes affecting rocks but could also be caused by water main breaks in towns and cities. However he would not categorically rule out a zombie uprising either. 

"Until that little old lady is found, and found to be in good condition--ie not a zombie--then I'm not going to say it's impossible," said Neveux.

Stay with us for further coverage.