Dutch marriage proposal sees crane smash IJsselstein house Published duration 13 December 2014

media caption The marriage proposal went dramatically wrong, but the woman in question did at least say yes

A Dutchman's plan to propose to his girlfriend has ended with a mobile crane smashing the roof of a house and forcing the evacuation of two others.

The man had wanted to surprise his partner by descending in front of her bedroom in the town of IJsselstein to sing her a song and pop the question.

But the unsecured crane he used instead toppled into a neighbour's house.

The woman still said yes, Dutch media report, and the couple are now said to be celebrating in Paris.

Following the initial impact, more damage was done when the crane fell again during an attempt to right it.

Residents in nearby properties were evacuated but no one was injured.

image copyright EPA image caption The crane was not secured to the ground, and eventually it toppled over

image copyright EPA image caption No one was hurt in the accident