Pontins roof collapse – what caused the incident and how many people were injured at the Brean Sands holiday park?

The terrifying crash happened at the entertainment centre of the Brean Sands resort near Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset.

What caused the incident?

One person staying at the holiday park said he thought the main clubhouse roof has collapsed.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said in a statement: "The incident involved the collapse of approximately 40m of structural ducting and ceiling sections, exposing live damaged electrics and making the scene unstable.

"Fire crews used eight high-pressure airbags and small tools to establish that no persons were trapped beneath the collapse."

The scene was made safe and fire crews had left the scene, they added.

How many people were injured?

Six people were rushed to hospital after the collapse in one of the main rooms where families played bingo and kids were watching a show.

A statement from the Avon and Somerset Police said they were called just before 6.30pm yesterday.

They said: "A number of people suffered minor injuries in the incident but thankfully no one was seriously hurt.

"A search of the scene has been carried out and we can confirm no one was trapped under the debris.

"The Health and Safety Executive have been informed."

What have witnesses said?

Mum Kelly Mansell, 38, said her children had been dancing when the collapse unfolded about two metres from them.

She told The Sun Online: "I thought it was a bomb, it was such a loud bang.

"My ten-year-old saw it fall and just started screaming."

Kelly said she immediately grabbed her kids and ran to the exit, saying: "There were big panels of insulation and people screaming.

"I helped a few people to move out. It was very dusty.

"I had a black top on and I was covered in dust and insulation. It got all in your eyes."

The mum, who is holidaying with her family including her four-year-old twins Ellis and Jenna and ten-year-old daughter Kady from their West Sussex home, said the kids were now terrified.

She said: "They couldn’t sleep last night. We just came here for a cheap getaway with family but didn’t realise we would be risking our lives."

Laura Robinson, whose family of five children are at the site, told the BBC: "We were in the family clubhouse, suddenly part of the roof [came] down halfway across the room, all across tables and people.

"It has come straight down over the tables in a long line.

"I heard this cracking noise and looked up and part of it's coming down and then the whole way along it went."

Another woman said: "If I wouldn't have moved a big slab of concrete would have landed on my head and split my head open.

"It landed right by my feet."

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