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Staff trapped in The Five Bells pub in Halling after power cable fell in Storm Eunice

20:00, 18 February 2022

updated: 20:58, 18 February 2022

A power cable which fell during the storm trapped staff in a pub and knocked down a tree.

Police were called at 11.20am after reports of a fallen power cable in High Street, Halling, had hit a vehicle.

A fallen power cable and tree outside The Five Bells pub in Halling caused staff to be trapped. Picture: Google
A fallen power cable and tree outside The Five Bells pub in Halling caused staff to be trapped. Picture: Google

Firefighters, highways officers and UK Power Networks teams attended the scene.

The Five Bells pub in High Street had to shut temporarily after the power cable 'wrapped around' the staff cars and the entrance to the pub.

A tree was also knocked down by the power cable which blocked access to the pub.

Storm Eunice has been battering Kent with gale-force winds, causing damage to buildings and disrupting journeys.

Sam, a member of staff who was in the pub at the time, said 'they are all safe' but are unfortunately stuck.

Staff at the pub praised Cllr Richard Thorne who 'heroically' directed traffic away from the fallen power line. Picture: Steve Crispe
Staff at the pub praised Cllr Richard Thorne who 'heroically' directed traffic away from the fallen power line. Picture: Steve Crispe

He said: "Myself, my two chefs and my delivery man are trapped in the pub.

"The storm took our power lines down, which are wrapped around our cars and the entrance and exit to the pub.

"Subsequently our tree has come down blocking access too."

Staff from the restaurant praised Cllr Richard Thorne, who came to direct vehicles around the fallen power line and debris.

Sam added: "He has heroically stood outside all day, diverting traffic away from the live cables, as have the emergency services."

No injuries have been reported.

The Five Bells pub took to Facebook this evening to announce that they are 'still standing' and open for Sunday lunch this weekend.

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