Wall of Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone falls into street and injures Just Go! Holidays coach driver and holidaymaker on turkey and tinsel
Published: 18:05, 21 November 2022
Updated: 13:41, 22 November 2022
A coach driver and a holidaymaker on a turkey and tinsel break were hurt after a section of wall at a seafront hotel came crashing down into the street in high winds.
Part of the front of the troubled Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone collapsed just before 4.30pm.
It landed on a coach belonging to Just Go! Holidays whose customers were on five-day Folkestone and Canterbury turkey and tinsel holiday.
A spokesman for the Cheltenham-based firm said: "Just Go! Holidays can confirm that one of its coaches was involved in an incident while parked outside the Burstin Hotel in Folkestone earlier today.
"Emergency services attended the incident, and we can confirm that our coach driver and one of our customers were taken to hospital.
"Our priority at this time is to focus on both those involved and our customers at the hotel and we are offering every assistance possible.
"No other details are currently available."
An ambulance service spokesman said: "I can confirm that ambulance crews attended the scene following reports shortly before 4.15pm that two people, a man and a woman, had been injured by falling rendering.
"The two patients were assessed and treated, for injuries including head injuries, before being taken to William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.
"They were both conscious at the scene."
Firefighters have been making checks of the building and the A260 Harbour Approach Road has been closed from South Street to Folkestone Harbour.
A fire service spokesman said: "Kent Fire and Rescue Service was called to the Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone, following reports of two people being hit by falling rendering in high winds.
"One fire engine attended, and the crew cordoned off the area for safety.
"Two people were handed into the care of SECAmb paramedics, and Kent Police also attended."
Fire crews left by 5.25pm but as of midnight the road outside the hotel remained closed.
It's been a bad month for the Grand Burstin, as it has just been ranked the UK's worst hotel for the 10th year running.
Our reporter was tasked with spending the night to see if it lived up to its poor reputation. Find out how he got on here.
The Grand Burstin, part of the Britannia Hotels group, has been approached for comment.
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Steve Waite