Tiger Rock, a Thai restaurant in Liverpool city centre, has said it must remain closed after a car crashed into its front window, causing a gas leak and forcing nearby businesses to evacuate.
Car crashes into restaurant front
Emergency services were called to North John Street on Saturday, November 7, after reports that a Peugeot car had smashed into the front of Tiger Rock. Merseyside Fire and Rescue said they were called to the scene at 12.40pm with two fire engines in attendance. Crews arrived to find the car had crashed into the front of the restaurant, with the driver already out of the vehicle.
The North West Ambulance Service was also on scene, assessing three people for minor injuries who had been in the restaurant at the time of the collision. The driver stayed at the scene to assist with enquiries.
Evacuations and road closures
Neighbouring businesses were evacuated, and road closures were put in place at the junction of Castle Street and Harrington Street, Dale Street and North John Street, and the junction of North John Street and Lord Street while emergency services dealt with the incident.
The impact of the crash caused a gas leak, which meant multiple cordons were put in place by firefighters and Merseyside Police while a structural engineer and a gas engineer were called to attend.
Restaurant statement and police response
Writing on Instagram on Sunday, November 8, Tiger Rock said: "Following an unfortunate incident yesterday involving a car colliding with our restaurant, we have had to temporarily close while the necessary repairs and safety checks are carried out. The safety of our customers and team is our absolute priority. We will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so."
The statement added: "We are incredibly grateful to our team, the emergency services and everyone who has supported us. Thank you to all our customers for your patience, understanding and continued support. It really means a lot to us. Tiger Rock Team."
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: "We can confirm that emergency services are in Liverpool city centre following a collision this afternoon, Saturday 7 November. At around 12.35pm, we were called to North John Street to reports of a Peugeot car in collision with the window of Tiger Rock Restaurant. The driver stayed at the scene to assist with enquiries. There is no indication that this was a deliberate act. A member of the public in the restaurant sustained a slight injury and will be assessed."
Following the incident, the owner of Johnny Goggles opticians on North John Street said a police officer knocked on and said he needed to evacuate the shop because there had been an incident. He shut up shop, put the shutters and alarm on and sent all his staff home. He said the emergency services arrived quickly at the scene and that it was "really reassuring."
