POLICE are to question a man after a digger was driven into a Travelodge hotel in Liverpool, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
Footage of the incident has been widely shared since the drama unfolded on Monday, the day work on the building was due to be completed.
The Edge Lane hotel at Liverpool Innovation Park was due to open soon, according to the Travelodge website.
Dispute
The matter reportedly stemmed from a pay dispute – at one point in the footage a man can be heard saying: “All you had to do was pay me my f****** 600 quid!”
A GoFundMe page set up in support of the driver to cover his unpaid wages and legal fees has raised almost £5,000.
In the footage, the mini excavator is seen being driven up the steps of the hotel and destroying the entrance.
The Travelodge was brand new, apparently pic.twitter.com/tr6GlSubhZ
— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) January 21, 2019
A second clip from inside the lobby shows the digger’s arm and bucket ripping into ceiling panels and fixtures.
A final video shows the digger exiting the building as construction workers scramble to try and power it down.
The driver fled the scene on foot, however Liverpool Police say they have now located a man who they are to interview in relation to the matter.
Injury
“A report was received shortly before 3pm [on Monday, January 21] that a digger was being driven into the entrance of the Travelodge building in the Liverpool Innovation Park,” said police.
“The driver then left the vehicle and made off on foot in the direction of Edge Lane.
“A man has since been located and will be interviewed as part of the ongoing investigation.
“One man experienced eye irritation due to exposure to diesel and was treated at the scene by North West Ambulance Service.
“It is not believed anyone else was injured during the incident.”
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