Storm Surge Traps Diners In Restaurant

Emergency services and the Army have rescued 32 people trapped in a beachfront restaurant on the south coast.

Lymington coastguard, fire services and military personnel were called to the Marine Restaurant in Milford on Sea, Hampshire, at 10pm on Friday after wind-blown shingle smashed windows and a tidal surge flooded the ground floor.

Customers and staff told Sky News they were forced to move up to the first floor, before the storm surge caused windows there to smash and water to begin flooding in.

They then had to wait for two hours as emergency services coordinated the rescue.

James McCrossan, a chef at the restaurant, said he hoped never to see the same weather again.

He said: "The wind was just smashing against the windows. It almost looked like the windows were bending.

"The outside of the windows started smashing. There was glass everywhere, it wasn't safe for anyone.

"It's like I've never seen before and, touch wood, I hope never to see it again."

Stephen Caunter, general manager of the restaurant, said they would probably have to cancel wedding bookings due to the damage caused.

He added: "I believe most of the cars in the car park are either gone, underwater or a write-off."

Cherry Waite, who was at the restaurant for a Valentine's Day meal, described hearing the sound of shingle hitting the glass windows.

"Because we were all happy and enjoying ourselves it was a bit like the Titanic," she said. "There's tides and rain nipping up from the outside."

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