Did McDonalds-loving SEAGULLS cause Manchester Victoria railway station roof to collapse on passengers?

THE roof collapse at Victoria station in Manchester could have been caused by hungry seagulls pecking at the high-tech panels after they were drawn by the smell of McDonald's, it was claimed today.

Engineers are understood to be investigating whether the winged pests weakened the plastic dome - installed just a year ago in a £44m refurb.

According to witnesses, a group of up to 30 commuters walking below were hit by the falling water

Two people suffered head injuries yesterday and 30 passengers were"soaked" as the panels gave way sending a "tidal wave" of water falling on rush hour commuters following a build-up of rain.

Commuters said they saw the roof buckling under the weight of the rainwater before it suddenly collapsed and landed on those below.

Today it was claimed the damage may have been caused by gulls drawn by McDonald's fumes from a ventilation unit near the bubble-style roof.

One man working for Network Rail said he had seen "up to 20" of the aggressive birds on the roof with their beaks down and tails up.

The pecking is said to have weakened sections of the roof, which is made from the same polymer as the Eden Project greenhouses in Cornwall.

The worker : “That’s what we have been told. We see loads of birds up there all the time, it’s no secret that they peck at the roof.

"They have been doing it for months.”

Another Network Rail employee added: “We believe that the seagulls have caused the damage to the roof after they were attracted to the area by the smell coming from the McDonald’s ventilation unit.”

It was suggested birds pecked holes in the outer layer, causing a dangerous build-up of rainwater in the bubbles.

This morning inspectors were seen abseiling on the roof with full safety gear to inspect the plastic panels.

Yesterday witness Daniel Pratt, 25, told how a "tidal wave" of water from the roof collapse landed on top of a train at the station as well as on a platform where people were walking.

Daniel told the MEN: “About a ton of water dropped down and the train took the brunt of it but there was a big group of people who it landed on too, and one woman I saw who was knocked down and didn’t get up.

“The best way I can describe it is like the huge wave you get on the log flume at a theme park.”

Neither Network Rail - responsible for the roof - or Northern Rail, which manages the station, would comment on the seagull issue today.

Network Rail wishing the injured passengers a speedy recovery and added: “A section of roof at Manchester Victoria appears to have been damaged, leading to water filling one of the plastic panels which then appears to have broken under the weight.

“Repairs are now being carried out. We are working with Northern and our contractors to understand what took place and we will implement any measures needed to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”

Northern Rail said: “Services are operating as normal at Manchester Victoria station. Some areas remain cordoned off but platforms are open.

"Contractors attended last night to ensure the roof was made safe and a full inspection will take place today."

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