Diners escape as police car rams into pub

DAMAGED . . . the police car which smashed into the Blue Belle

DINERS had a lucky escape when a police car slammed into a Royton pub last night.

The police car hit the corner of the Blue Belle Bar and Restaurant on Rochdale Road just as a party of ten diners settled down to enjoy their main course.

The police car, which is believed to have been in collision with another car, mounted the pavement before hitting the pub.

But the two police officers and people in the other car did not receive any injuries.

The accident happened at about 9pm at the junction of Rochdale Road and Park Street.

The police car, with its blue lights flashing, struck the building under a window where guests were dining.

Phil Garratt, proprietor of Winos in George Street, Oldham, was sitting with his back to the window with a party of friends when the accident happened.

He said: “I heard a loud bang and felt the building vibrate. I looked round to see a police car had collided with the corner of the building.

“The car was badly damaged but no one seemed to be hurt. The impact shook the tables.”

Diner, Mike Robinson, said: “I felt the impact and saw two police officers badly shaken up sitting in the car with its blue lights flashing.

Another one of the guests, Catherine Curl, said: “The impact shook everyone up but, with true British spirit, once we realised no one had been hurt we carried on with our meal.”

Landlady Joan Wright (63), who had just celebrated her second anniversary at the pub, was upstairs when she heard the crash.

“There was a loud bang and I ran downstairs and customers said the tables had shaken. The police car had struck the corner of the building but luckily no-one was hurt.”

Her son Ben (25), who manages the business, was serving diners when the incident happened.

He said: “I think the police car could be a write off — the drivers’ side and front wheel was badly damaged.

“But once everyone realised no one had been injured they just got on with their meal.”

Police investigating the accident took video footage from the pub’s CCTV for examination.

A police spokesman said the incident was under investigation and he could not confirm whether the police car was responding to an emergency at the time. He added that a Vauxhall Corsa and Seat Ibiza were also involved.