Man freed from rubble

A man trapped under rubble for nine hours after part of a building collapsed has been freed by rescuers.

He was trapped when the top two storeys of the central London structure fell onto the third floor yesterday.

Rescuers had to ensure the building, which was undergoing renovation, was safe and secure before the man could be freed this morning.

The London Fire Brigade said he was taken to the Royal London hospital. A spokesman said his condition had been stable throughout the rescue but was unable to comment further about his injuries.

Police believe the collapse was probably caused by structural failings. The only people on site at the time of the collapse were construction workers.

Eyewitness Surinder Purewal, who works at the Metropolitan Police Authority building opposite, said: "I was in the office opposite, when all of a sudden there was a loud bang. I thought it was a bomb."

He added: "I came out of the office and told the staff to get back. I saw the whole building come down, there was a lot of dust."

People were evacuated from nearby buildings and roads and 43 guests staying in a nearby hotel had to go into alternative accommodation amid structural fears.

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