For months, the residents of a small English village endured a relentless problem—potholes. These weren’t just minor cracks in the road; they were deep, treacherous craters turning everyday commutes into obstacle courses. Frustrated drivers filed complaint after complaint with their local council, hoping for a fix. But their pleas seemed to vanish into thin air.

That is until one man took matters into his own hands—not with protests or petitions, but with a creative prank so hilarious and effective that officials had no choice but to pay attention.

Meet the Man Behind the Prank

The mastermind behind this viral stunt is James Coxall, a 41-year-old carpenter from Castle Camps, Cambridgeshire. Tired of dodging potholes and waiting for action, he decided to send a message—one that no one could ignore.

On February 23, rather than filing yet another complaint, Coxall turned to humor and creativity to make his point.

Turning a Pothole Into a Viral Sensation

With the help of his wife and children, Coxall crafted an eye-catching roadside display that would make anyone do a double take. He took an old pair of jeans, stuffed them with rags to give them shape, and used wooden supports to hold them upright.

To complete the illusion, he added a pair of sneakers, joking that they had originally been meant for donation. Instead, they found a new purpose—as part of a fake “victim” trapped inside a pothole.

Video: British Carpenter’s Hilarious Pothole Prank Goes Viral!

To make sure the prank stayed in place, Coxall:
✔ Used a brick to weigh it down
✔ Positioned the fake legs in the water-filled pothole
✔ Snapped a perfectly timed photo

The final result? A hilarious scene that looked as though someone had fallen in—legs sticking out, helplessly trapped in the hole.

Social Media Explodes With Reactions

Coxall shared the photo in local Facebook groups, including Odd Things Around Cambridge and Haverhill community pages. The reaction was instant and overwhelming.

😂 People loved it. Comments poured in, praising Coxall’s creativity.
📢 The post spread like wildfire. Shares skyrocketed, reaching far beyond the village.
💬 Locals applauded his approach. Many admitted it was the first time they had laughed about an issue that had frustrated them for so long.

But beyond the humor, the prank served a bigger purpose—it got people talking about the pothole crisis in a way that formal complaints never could.

Officials Finally Take Action

What months of complaints and reports failed to do, a fake pair of legs in a pothole accomplished overnight.

Thanks to Coxall’s viral stunt, Cambridgeshire County Council finally responded. Officials announced that:

🚧 A highways officer would be dispatched to assess the road.
🔧 Repairs would be scheduled where needed.
📢 They encouraged residents to report potholes through their online system—though many locals doubted its effectiveness.

For the community, it was proof that humor could be a powerful weapon in activism. Coxall didn’t just make people laugh—he forced action.

Video: Cars Hitting MASSIVE Potholes (#13)

Why Humor is a Powerful Activism Tool

Potholes plague towns and cities worldwide, frustrating drivers and damaging vehicles. But most complaints about them? They get lost in bureaucracy.

Coxall’s approach worked because:

✔ Humor grabs attention – People share and engage with funny content more than traditional complaints.
✔ It reframes the issue – Instead of just another pothole rant, it became a shared joke with a serious message.
✔ It puts pressure on officials – When something goes viral, leaders feel the public scrutiny.

His prank wasn’t just funny—it was strategic.

The Aftermath: A Village Celebrates Small Wins

Coxall remains amused by the entire experience. He never expected his joke to:

📢 Go viral
🚜 Force local authorities to take action
😂 Become a talking point across the country

Though he wasn’t trying to be an activist, his actions made a real impact.

“It’s just a bit of fun,” Coxall told the BBC. “People seem to like it around here, but then again, I am known as a bit of a joker.”

For many, it was a lesson in the power of creativity. Instead of waiting for change, he made people notice—and that’s how things get done.

Conclusion: Sometimes, a Laugh is All It Takes

James Coxall’s hilarious pothole prank proves that even the smallest actions can create real change—especially when they’re wrapped in a dose of humor.

🚧 Problem: A village full of potholes, ignored complaints, frustrated residents.
😂 Solution: A well-placed joke that captured attention and forced action.
✅ Result: Local officials took notice, and road repairs were finally set in motion.

While bureaucracy often moves at a snail’s pace, a creative prank can speed things up. Coxall’s story is a reminder that sometimes, all it takes to fix a problem is a little imagination, a good sense of humor, and an old pair of jeans.