Tight squeeze! Car gets wedged in basement alley outside historic Bath hotel

A car yesterday became wedged on its side in a basement alleyway outside a historic Bath hotel after crashing through railings. 

Avon Fire and Rescue Service were called to the Francis Hotel at around 4.45am.     

Avon and Somerset Police said a 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of drink-driving and released on unconditional bail while further inquiries take place. 

A picture from the scene on Queen Square shows the Kia appearing to have gone through the railings on the road and landed in the basement alleyway separating the hotel from the street. 

A car has ended up on its side after crashing through railings outside the Francis Hotel in Bath 

Avon and Somerset Police said a 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of drink-driving and released on unconditional bail while further inquiries take place

The picture also shows debris, including large chunks of stones and brick, strewn across the alleyway. The section of railing where the vehicle crashed through has been removed and taped off.  

Those eating nearby were bemused by the sight of the car. 

Emily, 47, was visiting family from London for Mother’s Day lunch when she saw the vehicle. 

She told BBC West: ‘We thought it might have been a small fire but we looked over the railings and there was a whole car fitted in there and people making jokes about parking – you can’t really see how it got down there.

‘There was quite a large section of the railings that were broken and some stonework had also been damaged, so you could see it must have been quite high impact.’ 

A spokesman for the hotel, which remains open, told MailOnline they were unable to comment today.

The section of railing where the vehicle crashed through has been removed and taped off

One person in the car was rescued by a crew from Avon Fire and Rescue Service, while a second had got out by the time emergency services arrived, police said. 

Avon and Somerset Police said: ‘An investigation is under way after a car collided with railings and went into the basement area of a hotel in Bath.

‘The collision happened at around 4.45am on Sunday March 19 outside the Francis Hotel in Queen Square.

‘A 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of driving while unfit through drink and he’s been released on unconditional bail so further inquiries can take place.

‘We’d like to speak to anyone who saw this collision, or who may have any dashcam or mobile phone footage which may be relevant to our ongoing investigation.

‘If you can help, please call or contact us online.’