Dream Valentine’s Day meal turns to nightmare after storm blows out windows of beachfront restaurant

The storm caused huge waves that washed through the front of the restaurant (Picture: Robin Jones)

A romantic Valentine’s Day meal turned into something more akin to a horror film for 16 couples when a storm blew out the windows of a plush beachfront restaurant during dinner service.
Tables and chairs were overturned and shattered glass flew everywhere inside the highly-regarded Marine Restaurant in Milford on Sea, Hampshire last night.
The ground floor of the eatery – which was serving a special February 14th menu including scallops, lamb and a salmon confit amongst other dishes – became flooded with water and debris from the beach, as customers were forced up onto the first floor.

Dozens of people had to be rescued (Picture: Robin Jones)

After a long wait, 32 diners and staff were eventually retrieved by six-wheel-drive army vehicles.
Chief Inspector Gary Cooper, who co-ordinated the rescue, said: ‘Last night’s joint operation to rescue 32 people from the restaurant was probably the most difficult joint operation I have been involved in in 28 years of policing.

Dream location: The Marine Restaurant is in a prime place by the beachfront (Picture: YouTube)

‘The extreme weather conditions of stones being thrown from the beach with the power of the wind to smash windscreens of fire engines and military trucks was almost like they were being shot from a rifle.’
The worst of the damage was caused by a ‘freak’ wave, according to rescuers, which picked up shingle and smashed it through the panels that make up the front of the art deco building.
No-one was seriously injured in the incident but a number of vehicles were damaged in the car park, with some being written off.

Art deco: The Marine Restaurant’s visage includes wide windows for panoramic views of the Milford on Sea coastline (Picture: YouTube)

‘The wind was just smashing against the windows. It almost looked like the windows were bending,’ restaurant chef James McCrossan told Sky News.
‘The outside of the windows started smashing. There was glass everywhere, it wasn’t safe for anyone.
‘It’s like I never seen before and, touch wood, I hope never to see it again.’
Karen Bosman, from Lymington Coastguard, confirmed they had sent a team out to help in the rescue.