96-year-old man freed from shop hit by rock fall

A 96-year-old man has been freed unharmed from a shop after it was hit by a rock fall in Sussex.

The man was not physically trapped by the rock fall but unable to get out of the building in White Rock, Hastings, after the back of the premises fell down at 12.27pm today.

Inspector Lee Lyons said: "Thankfully, this gentleman was in the right place at the right time as far as being in the shop was concerned. He was cut off by the rock fall but was able to talk to colleagues from the fire service who had to work very carefully to free him.

"They were successful in doing this after a couple of hours and he emerged safe and well. A structural engineer has now visited the site and is concerned about the safety of four of the buildings in the area, so they are being cordoned off in order that further examination can take place."