What started as an ordinary Wednesday afternoon in Leeds quickly turned into a scene of panic when a van crashed through the wall of a multi-storey car park, leaving it partially hanging from the second floor and sending rubble raining down onto pedestrians below.
Van Dangles from Upper Floor as Rubble Hits Passersby
At around 4:10 p.m., chaos erupted in the city centre when a van smashed through an interior wall at the NCP car park on Harper Street.
As bricks and concrete fell from above, three unsuspecting people on the street were hit by the debris.
They were quickly taken to Leeds General Infirmary, although thankfully, none of the injuries were considered life-threatening.
Inside the van were two occupants, who were also taken to the hospital for precautionary checks.
Shocked Witnesses Describe the Scene
Kane Rawdon, 31, had parked his car inside the same car park earlier in the day.
Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post, he shared his shock after getting a message from a friend warning him about the incident.
“I was at work when I got a text from a mate who knows I park here,” he said.
“I don’t know if I’ll even be allowed back in to get my car.
I’ve never seen this many police in town—something major was definitely going on.”
Another passerby, caught up in the commotion, said: “I’ve got no idea what happened, but I’ve never seen anything like this—ambulances everywhere.”
Emergency Services Flood the Area
Police, ambulance crews, and fire services rushed to the scene within minutes.
The van was left teetering on the edge of the car park’s upper level as emergency responders secured the area and began assessing the structural damage.
According to a West Yorkshire Police spokesperson, the van collided with an interior wall while driving on the first floor, causing it to crash partially through the outer wall.
“The vehicle was protruding outward,” the spokesperson explained.
Investigation Underway as Car Park Closed
The affected car park was immediately shut down while structural engineers and fire crews inspected the building for safety concerns.
A police cordon was established around the scene, and efforts are underway to safely recover the damaged van.
A spokesperson from the Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust confirmed that five individuals were transported to Leeds General Infirmary following the incident.
Meanwhile, officials from the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service have been approached for further comment as investigations continue into how exactly the crash occurred.
A Shocking Reminder of Urban Hazards
While accidents of this nature are rare, the dramatic crash is a stark reminder of how quickly a routine moment in the city can spiral into a dangerous situation.
For now, emergency crews remain on high alert, and the car park will likely remain closed until full structural safety can be guaranteed.
The community is simply grateful that no lives were lost—and that the people injured are on the road to recovery.