As extreme weather continues to batter the U.K, dramatic drone footage has captured the aftermath of a building collapse, that saw a 200-year-old pub crumble into a swollen river, as parts of the structure were washed away.
The Waterside straddles a bridge across the River Irwell in Summerseat, and onlookers say that it collapsed at 9.12am on Boxing Day, sending beer barrels and other debris crashing own the river.
As luck would have it, the building was empty at the time, but drone footage shot after the fact shows how sections of the floor and walls have completely collapsed as the swollen waters continue to flow underneath the building.
Adrian Costello, who lives next door, described the pants-shitting moment to the Manchester Evening News, saying:
“I turned to my left and watched The Waterside crumble into the river from being fully intact to disintegrating in front of my eyes. It was like a scene from a film. It was gone in a few seconds. There was dust everywhere. I was about 20 to 30 metres away so I was alright. But we were just about to cross the bridge. Had we gone over it 30 seconds earlier we would have been under all the rubble and it would have been a different story. I used to go drinking in that pub so I have fond memories of it. I am sure a lot of people have. It’s just sad and surreal.”
Dear readers, may your post-Christmas drinks be full of mirth and merriment, and may no goddamn floors collapse under you while you’re enjoying them.
Story: Manchester Evening News
Photo: YouTube
