Pub goers injured in ‘traumatic’ Hackney Wick bar floor collapse

An east London pub has closed after the shocking collapse of a mezzanine floor saw more than a dozen revellers injured and four people hospitalised.

Firefighters raced to Two More Years, in Hackney Wick, at just before 5pm on Saturday, February 12, after the pub’s mezzanine floor partially gave way underneath customers.

Emergency services pulled people from the rubble and eyewitnesses described the scene as “traumatic”, with one onlooker saying: “I can’t believe we’re not dead.”

Thirteen people were injured, with four of them taken to hospital by paramedics, while firefighters rescued seven people from the remains of the structure via ladders.

Harriet McMahon, who was at the pub at the time of the collapse, said: “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.”

Around 50 people left the pub, a single storey building, on Roach Road, Hackney Wick, before firefighters arrived.

London Fire Brigade commander Sacha Clement, who was at the scene, said: “Firefighters carried out a systematic search of the building and rescued seven people from inside.

“They were trapped on the remaining part of the mezzanine floor and crews used a ladder to bridge between the floor and the internal staircase to get them safely out of the building.

“We worked with our emergency services partners and a number of people were treated at the scene and taken to hospital.”

Three fire engines from Homerton, Bethnal Green and Leyton fire stations and two fire rescue units from East Ham and Edmonton fire stations were at the scene.

Labour MP for Bethnal Green and Bow Rushanara Ali said she was “very concerned about the collapse of part of a building at Roach Road, Fish Island”.

“My thoughts are with all those affected and their loved ones,” she said.

“Grateful to London Ambulance and Tower Hamlets emergency response services for their support at this time.”

While London mayor Sadiq Khan added: “My thoughts are with those affected by the incident in Hackney Wick this evening.

“I want to thank London Ambulance, London Fire and the Met Police for their swift action.

“A number of people have been treated at the scene and taken to hospital. I wish all those injured a speedy recovery.”

Brian Jordan, strategic commander with the London Ambulance Service, said the collapse was declared a major incident, and several teams, including the London Air Ambulance, attended the scene.

He said: “Three patients had potentially serious injuries, and ten had more minor injuries. We took four people to hospitals and major trauma centres. Crews have now been stood down.”

A statement from the owners of Two More Years was posted on Instagram and read: “At around 5pm today, the mezzanine in our venue collapsed.

“Thankfully no one has sustained any critical injuries. This does mean the venue will remain closed for now and all dinner reservations and party bookings are cancelled.

“Our thoughts are with everyone that has been affected. We will provide more information as we have it.

“If anyone has any belongings to collect or needs any further information please contact [email protected].”

The Met Police said investigations were being led by Tower Hamlets Council.

And a council spokesperson said: “We are shocked to hear about the warehouse floor collapse in Fish Island. Our thoughts are with those being treated for injuries.

“We are continuing to work with the emergency services and a structural engineer has been on site to assess the integrity of the privately owned building.”