MANCHESTER, N.H. -- A sinkhole forced police to close South Beech Street in Manchester during the Monday evening commute.

Police said the 5-foot-deep sinkhole nearly caused a serious accident when a car swerved to avoid it and almost hit a motorcycle. The driver of the motorcycle slid to get out of the way, but there were no injuries.

South Beech Street will be closed from South Willow Street to Alpheus Street for a few hours until the hole is repaired, police said.