13 injured as floor collapses at packed pub

THIRTEEN people were injured – three seriously – when the mezzanine floor collapsed in a busy pub yesterday.

Firefighters rescued seven people trapped after the incident at the Two More Years bar in Hackney Wick, East London.

London Ambulance Service declared a major incident after being called shortly before 5pm, and said four casualties were taken to hospital.

A man who was in the venue at the time described hearing a ‘cracking noise’ and dust falling from above. He told the Press Association news agency: ‘Me and my friend ran to the side and the whole thing just came down in a matter of seconds.’

He saw one person being brought out on a stretcher and put into an ambulance, but said most of the injured appeared to have only cuts and bruises.

London Fire Brigade Station Commander Sacha Clement said: ‘Firefighters carried out a systematic search of the building and rescued seven people trapped on the remaining part of the mezzanine floor.’

The Brigade said around 50 people left the building before crews arrived at the scene.