Digger Driver Destroys Brand New Travelodge Hotel Because He's 'Owed £600 Unpaid Wages'
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WARNING: VIDEO CONTAINS OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE
This shocking footage shows the moment a builder smashed up a Travelodge hotel over an apparent row about his wages.
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It has been claimed that the angry worker was owed £600 ($770) in wages that he hadn't been paid, before the incident which caused thousands of pounds' worth of damage to the newly built hotel in Liverpool.
Workers watched on as the orange digger mowed through the hotel's entrance shortly before 3pm today.
As the digger is driven up the steps, it tears through the front door. Glass doors and windows can be seen to shatter as parts of the framework collapse.
One person can be overheard shouting: "That's what happens when people don't pay your wages, mate."
A source told the Sun: "Nobody could believe their eyes. The man just went crazy. Everyone said he'd had an issue over his pay and he was saying he was owed £600.
"But even if that's true, to smash up a building is just beyond belief."
The video was posted on to Twitter and it has since racked up over 4,000 retweets and 11,000 likes.
Many people have been supporting the allegedly unpaid builder, with one saying: "And it's right as well mate. All the larger contractors are at it along with the developers who constantly string smaller subbies along before paying them.
"The whole system needs to change with fines being introduced for the late payments."
In a statement, Merseyside Police said: "We are appealing for information after damage was caused to a hotel under construction.
"A report was received shortly before 3pm that the digger was being driven into the entrance of the Travelodge building. The driver then left the vehicle and made off on foot.
"One man experienced an eye irritation due to exposure to diesel and was treated at the scene by North West Ambulance Service. It is not believed anyone else was injured in the incident.
"Merseyside Fire and Rescue Services and contractors attended to ensure the site was safe."
MailOnline reported that Travelodge declined to comment but a spokesperson for Triton Construction, the main constructor on site, said their understanding was that a labourer who works for another groundwork constructor couldn't find his boss, who was due to give him his wages.
They told the publication: "At approximately 3.00pm the labourer took it upon himself to drive a small mini excavator through the entrance screen of the hotel and subsequently caused damage to finishes within the reception.
"Fortunately there appear to be no structural damage so repairs can be undertaken relatively quickly."
