Video shows moment car crashes into Culcheth’s Rokka Bar and Grill

Owner Gultekin Polat said it sounded ‘like a bomb going off’ when a silver Jaguar careered off the road and crashed into his business in Culcheth.

A man has since been arrested on suspicion of drink-driving in connection with the incident outside the restaurant, which has since reopened.

A dramatic CCTV clip has now been shared showing the terrifying moment the car hit a curb before crashing into Rokka Bar and Grill, leaving glass and debris covering the pavement.

Gultekin, who estimated the crash caused around £60,000 worth of damage, said: “We thought it was a bomb going off, the way it was making noise.

“I didn't see what happened, but after that I was shocked – everybody was shocked. We ran outside to help the people and check if they were ok.

“Two ladies left 20 seconds before who were sitting on that table where the window broke, and one of my staff went to the table and was clearing the glasses.

The scene of the crash at Rokka Bar and Grill in Culcheth (Image: Cheshire Police)

“She was a few seconds away from being hit. It was very lucky that nobody was injured.”

Gultekin said it was also very fortunate that a group of young people who had passed in front of the restaurant 13 seconds before the crash were not hurt.

He added: “There were four teenagers walking near the restaurant. If they had stopped walking, 13 seconds later the car would have crushed them easily, but they left.

“It was a busy restaurant, and we were lucky that customers left early on that Friday night.

“They came early, they ate early and they were gone, and there were only six people left and the staff working in the restaurant.”

Firefighters and paramedics attended the scene after the incident, which happened at around 9.35pm on Friday, February 9.

The scene of the crash at Rokka Bar and Grill in Culcheth (Image: SWNS)

Windows were smashed and an overhead canopy was crushed in the collision at the Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant.

The scene was sealed off by a cordon until a structural engineer attended, while firefighters worked with other agencies to make the area safe, ensure everyone was accounted for and check for gas leaks.

A spokesman for Cheshire Police said: “At 9.35pm on Friday, February 9, police were called to reports of a collision on Warrington Road, Culcheth.

“Officers attended and found a car, a silver Jaguar, had collided with the front of a restaurant.

“There were no reports of any injuries, but the driver of the car was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure.

“The 31-year-old, from Warrington, was also arrested on suspicion of drink driving. He has since been released pending further enquiries.”

After the incident, Rokka Bar and Grill posted on social media thanking customers for the outpouring of support that it received from the community with kind messages.