Headline says:
Man falls to his death
when sinkhole opens
in middle of his house
Some theorize the living room sat atop an old mine
The Houston Chronicle
April 24, 2006, 10:49PM (link) **

What happened dear?

(Muffled voice) Help, help, I'm down here!

Don't be silly, we don't have a basement.

Come quick! Call 911!

Oh my gosh!

(Ring, ring, ring)

Hello, 911!

Yes, how can we help you?

My husband just fell into a hole, come quickly!

Easy now, lady. Stay calm.

Where are you now?

I'm in my living room.

Can you see the hole from where you are?

I'm standing beside it.

Ok, lady. Sure. In your living room.

Yes, yes! Right in the middle of the room.

Well, that's better now. Just lay down. We will have a paramedic there right away.

No, no, no. It's my husband who needs help. Bring some strong men, a ladder, and some rope! And anything else you think will help!

I know, I know. I sympathize with you. That sorry bastard. He hasn't hit you, has he. Are you safe now?

No, no, nothing like that. There is an abyss right here, and he fell in it. Come quick!

Hell on earth? That comes often. Does he hallucinate? What did he take?

No, no. He's in danger. I haven't heard from him now for a few minutes.

Good, good. At least you are safe for the time being. I'll send a clergy too, ropes and ladders won't get him out of the hell he is in. Can we have prayer right now while you are waiting?

J...n, J...n, how are you doing down there(!!)?

SILENCE. DEATHLY SILENCE.

Be calm, lady. It is alright now. You are better and he is calmed down. Paramedics and the ambulance are about six minutes away now. Are you still laying down?

MORE SILENCE, DEATHLY SILENCE.
SOBBING, SOBBING.

Honey, stay on the line , it's almost over.

Little did that operator know. What a horrible way to die. Right in the safety of one's home. And so terrifying for the helpless wife who was always there to help.

The article concluded with this:
The Alta (sic, California) area was heavily mined for gold in the late 1800s. A mine collapse is one likely cause of the tragedy, but officials say they can't explain it yet. The area was part of the historic Nary Red Mine, a complex of 16 different gold mining claims that operated from the 1860s to the 1940s.