CCTV shows moment roof was blown off Hughenden Village Hall during Storm Eunice

The roof crashed into the Hughenden village store and coffee shop whilst five people were inside.

After hearing the “loud crash” workers in the shop rushed outside the check for anyone trapped underneath the roof.

READ MORE: Costa Coffee to open THIS WEEKEND at village parade

Louise Jones, the shop manager, said: “It was very frightening. We didn’t see it happen because we were inside the building and it was so quick.

"It was a really loud crash, all morning we were worried about a tree falling on us as we are surrounded by trees are all around us.

“We weren’t expecting the roof of the village hall to fall off.

“It was a real shock when it happened but the adrenaline kicks in and you go into automatic. We were checking that there was no one under the debris."

ALSO READ: Popular bar to close down after 11 years following 'turbulent time'

The CCTV revealed that no one was trapped underneath but it showed a woman who was moments away from being hit by the roof.

Louise continued: "We were all very calm at the time but a little shocked later on. 

"I had a lot of delayed anxiety on Friday afternoon but I viewed our CCTV footage which confirmed that there was nobody underneath the debris that we may have missed.

"This put my mind at rest so that I could sleep!

“It’s quite shocking, I think it was more frightening after we saw the CCTV.

“Particularly that lady that was walking across the car park. I don’t if she knows what a lucky escape she had.”

The roof hit the corner of the shop on the way down but the impact was shielded by the sturdy large metal frame of the outside marquee, used as a seating area since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Local workers from Harvey’s Electrical were in the hall vicinity and helped break up the debris around the shop so the people inside could evacuate.

The clean-up programme has now begun as the debris has been sawn up and taken away as work on fixing the village hall starts.

Nearly £200 worth of perishable food has been donated to Wycombe Food Hub with the shop hoping to reopen next week.

Louise added: “We have had lots of support and well wishes.

“Everyone one a has been amazing, really supportive and sorry to hear what has happened.

“We are really keen to reopen as the shop is a lifeline for some people."