Lynda safe after building collapse

10:07am Wednesday 13th June 2007

Comments (0)   Have your say »

STOURBRIDGE MP Lynda Waltho narrowly escaped injury after two floors of a five storey London building collapsed.

The building, in Dean Farrar Street, Westminster, caved in at around 4pm on Tuesday June 12, leaving a builder trapped in the wreckage.

Mrs Waltho was in the building, which houses the offices of Labour Party chairwoman Hazel Blears, only minutes before the collapse but had returned to the House of Commons by the time the incident occurred.

Mrs Waltho said: "I would like to assure all those concerned that although somewhat shaken up, my colleagues and I are all fine and I thank all those colleagues and constituents who have contacted to wish me well."

Eyewitnesses reported debris "showering down" onto the street, around 50 firefighters were called to the scene to free the trapped man in an operation they described as "difficult and dangerous".

Mrs Waltho said: "A builder was safely rescued and is being cared for in hospital, once again the emergency services did a great job and we owe them a great debt."