ADELAIDE (Reuters) - A sinkhole that swallowed a car on Tuesday (Oct 4) has been put down to disused mine shafts rather than the heavy rains the area has experienced over the past week, according to local media.

Local media said a couple was in the car when the three-metre diameter hole formed.

The pair, who suffered minor bruising, managed to climb out of the hole.

Heavy rains have hit the area over the past week with local media reporting that around 30mm had fallen around where the sinkhole occurred.