A DISABLED man was seriously injured after a crane brought a chimney crashing through the roof of the cafe where he was sitting.

The 30-year-old Down's Syndrome sufferer, known locally as Joe, had to be freed by emergency crews from rubble at the Blinking Owl cafe, on the A127 near the Rayleigh Spur junction.

The drama began as a lorry driver pulled out of the Lychgate Industrial Estate, behind the cafe and the crane on his truck caught power lines, just before 3pm yesterday.

The cables pulled over the building's chimney, sending it crashing through the roof of the transport cafe, where customers were sitting.

The injured man, from Thundersley, suffered serious leg injuries and was taken to Southend Hospital.

Two other people were treated for shock by ambulance crews at the scene .

Roofer Mark Power lives above the cafe, and was in his flat at the time.

He said: "The whole building shook. There was a big crash and then I saw a massive hole in the roof.

"Then there was pandemonium, because poor little Joe was trapped under the rubble."

Steve Easton, who runs the Blinking Owl, arrived at his rented cafe within minutes of the incident.

He said: "My first thought was for the staff and particularly for Joe. Joe has Down's Syndrome and the Blinking Owl is his favourite place.

"He comes here twice a week with his carer. I'm not worried about the cost now. I'm more worried about the staff and I'm going up to the hospital to see Joe."

The cafe - a well-known landmark on the London-bound A127 - was expected to to reopen tomorrow after emergency repairs.

Five fire crews were called to the incident.

Station officer Doug Sylvester said: "The HGV was carrying a container, and a small crane which helps it load and unload had been left up.

"As it was driving out of the cafe's car park, the crane caught on overhead power cables which, in turn, pulled down a chimney crest from the roof of the cafe.

"This chimney crest then went through the roof of a lean-to which is used as part of the seating area for customers.

"It completely destroyed the lean-to and also took part of the main building with it."

A fire crew stayed at the scene until engineers could to check out the structure.

One lane of the London-bound A127 was closed while emergency services dealt with the incident.

Police are investigating. and would like anyone who saw the incident to call PC Bryan Miles on 01268 775533.