A Dundee hotel was evacuated at the weekend after part of the ceiling collapsed – just as a newly-wed couple cut their cake.
The Queens Hotel, on the Nethergate, was hosting two wedding receptions on Saturday when the ceiling caved in, leaving one best man with a concussion.
The two couples and their guests were ushered out into the street as police, fire and ambulance crews raced to the scene.
Gary and Emily Parkin were just preparing to slice their cake when “concrete” and plaster plummeted from the building’s ceiling seconds after celebratory balloons had been released.
Gary’s brother Neil – his best man – was hit on the head by the debris, and was taken to Ninewells Hospital as a precaution.
Meanwhile, the Parkins and the other wedding party were left to make other arrangements after firefighters ruled the building unsafe. They were allowed back inside 90 minutes later.
Mr Parkin’s father, Bill, admitted the newlyweds were devastated about how their special day had ended.
The 55-year-old said the pair, who have been together since 2013, said: “The band were just warming up and we had a net which opened balloons and confetti while Gary and Emily were cutting the cake,” he said.
“There was a small bang when this happened, but then there was another bang and it was like ‘What was that?’
“I was at the bar, but heard Neil had been hurt. I came in and saw him sitting as white as a ghost.
“We’d only been in the place 40 minutes – the place was only just beginning to fill up.
“They’re both understandably gutted.”
Neil revealed he had been outside for photographs but had hurried inside for the cake-cutting.
The 27-year-old said: “I came back in and they had only just cut the cake when I got a smack on the back of the head.
“I got plastered, but not the way I wanted.
“I’ve still got a sore head and am a bit dizzy.”
Last night, hotel proprietor Gordon Sneddon vowed that a full inspection would be carried out.
A spokeswoman for the hotel said: “At 8.30pm there was an incident at The Queen’s Hotel during which it appears that small portion of a plaster from the original lathe and plaster ceiling came loose, falling through the false ceiling below.
“This resulted in a few tiles and some plaster debris falling into the room.
“Emergency services were immediately called as a precaution, which resulted in one of the guests being taken to hospital with a minor complaint.”
Mr Sneddon added: “This is an extremely unfortunate incident that in no way could have been foreseen and our guests can rest assured that there will be a full inspection of the Queen’s Hotel.”