No one was injured in the incident but locals told how it was 'gone in a few seconds' after succumbing to weather

As heavy rain lashed north of England, the pub fell into the river with beer


It has stood on the edge of the River Irwell for more than 200 years, becoming a landmark in its own right.

But what was once a popular place for families and friends to meet and enjoy a quiet drink, has now been reduced to rubble.

Yesterday, as heavy downpours once again lashed the north of the country, the Waterside Pub in Summerseat, near Bury, Greater Manchester, fell victim to the deluge.

As river levels rose to unprecedented heights, the two-storey pub dramatically succumbed to the stormy weather and collapsed into the raging waters.

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Raging: Some residents said they were lucky to be alive after watching a huge section of the Waterside Pub in Summerseat, near Bury, Greater Manchester, suddenly wash away in the flooding. It collapsed into the River Irwell as heavy rainfall lashed the region yesterday

Aftermath: The Waterside pub was completely damaged today after collapsing into the River Irwell near Bury, Greater Manchester, in stormy conditions yesterday. Residents told how the 200-year-old pub fell into the fast-flowing torrent 'in just a few seconds' in heavy rainfall

The morning after: The Waterside pub was completely devastated after collapsing into the River Irwell with photos today showing the aftermath. Debris could be seen hanging from the remains of the building, while other pieces of rubble lay in the raging river below

Gone: In Summerseat, the 200-year-old Waterside pub - which was built on a bridge over the River Irwell - collapsed due to the flooding

Dramatic footage from the scene shows its floor and much of the rest of the building disappearing into the River Irwell, with beer barrels and other debris sent crashing down the river.

No-one was inside the disused pub when it collapsed at around 9.12am but Adrian Costello, 32, was about to walk across the bridge on which it was situated when he saw the building come down in 'just a few seconds'.

The outsource operations manager, who lives in The Spinnings apartment block beside the pub, said: 'I was walking into the car park and heard a loud crumbling and crashing sound.

'I turned to my left and watched The Waterside crumble into the river from being fully intact to disintegrating in front of my eyes. It was like a scene from a film. It was gone in a few seconds. There was dust everywhere.

'I was about 20 to 30 metres away so I was alright. But we were just about to cross the bridge.

'Had we gone over it 30 seconds earlier we would have been under all the rubble and it would have been a different story. I used to go drinking in that pub so I have fond memories of it. I am sure a lot of people have.

'It's just sad and surreal.'

Following the collapse, Mr Costello went to watch Manchester United being beaten 2-0 at Stoke City before returning home to be told he would not be allowed into his apartment building because of safety fears.

'I've had better days,' he said.

Disaster: Debris from the Waterside Pub in Summerseat could be seen collapsed in the River Irwell today after it fell into the water last night

Counting the cost: The owner of the Waterside pub in Summerseat said he was 'devastated' last night after the building collapsed

Widespread damage: The Waterside pub has largely been reduced to rubble after succumbing to the stormy weather and heavy rainfall

Another witness of the pub's demise, Julia Christie, 28, who lives in Summerseat, said: 'I live near the river and we could see it getting higher and higher so we went down to take a look.

'We heard this big bang and then we started seeing things floating down the river - beer barrels, bits out of the kitchen, tins of bins that kind of thing.

'I managed to walk up and have a closer look before police closed it all off.

'It just looks awful. It's so sad. It had been closed for quite a few years but the building's been there for 200 years apparently and now it's gone.

'I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't completely collapse into the river tonight.

'The whole of the main floor of the building has caved in.'

The owner of the pub, who had spent £70,000 renovating it, said he was 'devastated' last night.

Owais Khan, 53, added: 'It was a beautiful landmark building. I am just grateful that no one was injured when it collapsed.'

The London-based property developer bought the pub in 2002 and left it empty for four years until locals successfully campaigned for it to be reopened.

Devastation: As river levels rose to unprecedented heights, the two-storey pub dramatically succumbed to the bad weather and collapsed

'Gone in a few seconds': No-one was inside the disused pub when it collapsed at around 9.12am on Boxing Day but Adrian Costello, 32, was about to walk across the bridge on which it was situated when he saw the building come down in a matter of 'just a few seconds'

Aftermath: The owner of the pub, Owais Khan, 53, who had spent £70,000 renovating it, said he was 'devastated' about the incident

Destroyed: Part of the historic building, in Summerseat, Greater Manchester, which sits on a bridge over the River Irwell, was swept away

The Waterside Pub in Summerseat, near Bury, is pictured before it was washed away by intense rainfall across the Greater Manchester area

The pub collapsed as six-and-a-half inches of rain hit the region overnight, bringing further deluge and widespread flooding to already-saturated communities.

Labour politicians criticised the Environment Agency for 'ignoring warnings that flooding on this scale was likely to happen', and said they were amazed that there were no reports of casualties.