UK hotel insurance news - Lift accident for stag-goers could see claim

Owners of a hotel in Newquay, Cornwall, are likely to be claiming on their hotel insurance after a dramatic lift accident occurred at their premises recently.

The hotel was playing host to a group of stag party-goers who had entered the lift in the hotel's lobby with the intention of going up to their rooms. However, the lift, which also gave access to a small cove directly under the cliffs on which the hotel is built, became stuck.

As engineers attempted to fix the lift, the six men inside were urged by hotel staff to be patient, but suddenly the hoisting mechanisms gave way and the lift crashed 100 ft to beach entrance below.

Emergency workers were called to the scene. A total of 85 service operatives were involved in the rescue which was hampered by the incoming tide as it cut off the beach.

Only one of the party inside the lift suffered an injury. The groom, from Weybridge, Surrey, told reporters, ''We were lucky no-one was seriously hurt or killed and five of us managed to get to the pub as planned.''

An investigation into the accident was launched by local health and safety officers, but no comment was made by spokespeople for the hotel. It is hoped that their hotel insurance and public liability cover is up to date in order to cover any claims for damages.