Father's Pub Pint Saves Him from Destructive Landslide at Family Home
A father's decision to visit the pub for a pint proved to be a life-saving move when a massive landslide partially destroyed his family home mere minutes after he left. Tom Baker, a 40-year-old accountant from Hoarwithy in Herefordshire, escaped the catastrophic event that ripped through his six-bedroom detached property.
Narrow Escape from Disaster
Mr Baker recounted his narrow escape, stating, 'It was more by luck than judgement that I missed it, I missed it by ten minutes. It destroyed my office, I was working in it until 9pm.' He explained that a neighbour had messaged him to sign some paperwork, prompting him to wander down to the local pub. 'I'd just taken the top off the beer, and that was when I got the text,' he added, describing the moment he learned of the disaster.
Incredibly, his wife Suzanne and their three children, aged 14, four, and 18 months, were away on a rare holiday at the time, avoiding the landslide entirely. Mr Baker expressed his disbelief at the situation, saying, 'I have absolutely no idea how lucky I got, it was ridiculous.'
Cause of the Landslide
The landslide is believed to have been triggered by demolition work on a neighbouring property, which undermined a 100-foot-high bank behind the houses. This caused hundreds of tons of earth and rock to crash down onto the Baker's home. The neighbouring detached house had been unoccupied for over two years and was reportedly purchased by a developer who was in the process of completing its demolition when the incident occurred.
When Mr Baker rushed home, he found police and fire crews at the scene of his devastated family home. The landslide left a gaping hole that exposed the living room, making the interior clearly visible from the road. The family has since had to remove valuables and furniture from the building and seek temporary accommodation elsewhere.
Family's Emotional Response
Mrs Baker shared her distress in an interview with the BBC, stating, 'I'm trying to make sense of what had happened. Every time I come out here I end up crying.' She noted that a lorry driver first noticed a downed electrical cable and alerted neighbours, who then called emergency services. The end wall of their house was completely destroyed, leaving her in shock.
The family is now facing significant upheaval. Mr Baker described the aftermath, saying, 'The amount of chaos and suffering we're now having is extraordinary. Our family home is now destroyed and we're now homeless.' They have been placed in temporary accommodation, similar to an Airbnb property, but remain uncertain about their next steps.
Council and Community Response
Herefordshire Council has been actively involved in managing the situation. A council spokesperson confirmed that highways teams attended the scene shortly after the landslip occurred. The road has been closed for safety reasons, and the council is awaiting the results of a survey of the rock face to determine when it can safely reopen.
The spokesperson added, 'The council has been in contact with the landowner, who is taking steps to address the situation, and our building control team has inspected the affected properties.' Workmen have spent several days trying to shore up the property and protect the exposed end of the house from rain.
Ward councillor David Davis, who visited the site to speak with those affected, mentioned that a previous landslip further up the road just over a year ago had caused the route to shut for months. 'Boulders came down onto the highway and the road was closed until that could be rectified,' he explained.
The council has urged motorists and residents to respect the road closure and follow the diversions that have been put in place while investigations continue.
