Man ‘cheated death’ after scaffolding collapsed onto car trapping him inside (2025)

A driver managed to ‘cheat death’ after scaffolding collapsed onto a busy high street trapping him underneath.

Layers of wood and metal came away from a closed public library on Stoke Newington Church Street at around 7.30am.

A man was reportedly trapped beneath the rubble, but was helped to safety by onlookers.

One passer-by told Metro he cheated death as he walked across the road as the scaffolding folded into a heap on the street.

Ali Alagoz said: ‘The scaffold bent over and then slowly tipped and then there was a loud bang.

‘I tried to help the man out of the car, I thought he would be crushed but he was okay.

‘It was shocking for the few seconds watching it – it felt like minutes. We were both lucky to be alive.’

A Hackney council worker said the had a ‘miracle escape’, telling Metro: ‘He was driving through when the scaffolding collapsed on his car. He got out was shaken but otherwise seemed unhurt.

‘The car is pretty much intact. The guy has had a miracle escape he has been born again!

‘Imagine if the road had been busy at 3pm someone would have been badly injured or killed for sure.’

Tabby, a local cafe worker on Stoke Newington Church Street, toldMetro: ‘I didn’t see directly what happened, just the sound of a loud clanging noise.

‘I’ve heard from others in the area that the van driver left unscathed after the scaffolding fell on top.

‘The scaffolding itself is on the library and I think it was recently changed by another company.

‘I’ve always been wary of walking under it. It just looked like it could fall.

‘The collapsed scaffolding is still here on the ground at the scene. It is busy in the area with lots of people gathered around and there is still a police presence.

‘Not many of the businesses have been impacted thankfully – only The Parlour cafe is closed.

‘Thankfully everybody is safe and nobody has been injured.’

Hackney Council has asked residents to avoid the area.

The road is closed in both directions, with bus routes on diversion.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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