Thirteen people have been injured, three seriously, after the mezzanine floor of a bar in Hackney collapsed on Saturday afternoon.
Emergency services were called to the Two More Years bar in Hackney Wick at 4.44pm on Saturday.
Firefighters rescued seven people who were trapped after the collapse. London Ambulance Service said that three patients had potentially serious injuries and 10 had more minor injuries. Four people were taken to hospitals and major trauma centres.
Harriet McMahon, who was at the bar when the floor collapsed, said on Twitter: “A pretty traumatic Saturday pint. We were sat right underneath the mezzanine at Two More Years, Hackney Wick as it came down. It was terrifying, can’t quite believe we aren’t dead.”
Hal, a mental health worker from Stratford, was on the mezzanine floor when it collapsed and told the BBC: “It sounded like a rumbling, a bit like an earthquake. You can’t be prepared for anything like this.”
“Thankfully I was able to heave myself out,” he said. “We all helped each other out.”
He told the BBC that he did not suffer major injuries and escaped with only a few scratches.
Brian Jordan, strategic commander at London Ambulance Service, said in a statement that the collapse was declared a major incident and that a number of resources were dispatched to the scene, including teams from London’s Air Ambulance.
Diane Abbott, the MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, shared her concern on social media: “Alarming to hear that 13 people injured tonight after a mezzanine floor collapses at the popular “Two More Years” bar in Hackney Wick.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan also took to Twitter to thank the ambulance service, fire brigade and police for their “swift action”.
“My thoughts are with those affected by the incident in Hackney Wick this evening,” he said. “I wish all those injured a speedy recovery.”
On its Instagram account, Two More Years announced that the venue will remain closed “for now”.
“Our thoughts are with everyone that has been affected,” the post continued.
