Driver issued with fine after car crashes into Dundee University building

By Laura Devlin and Amie Flett

December 6 2022, 1:57pm

The scene of the crash at Dundee University. Image: Laura Devlin/DC Thomson.

A driver has been issued with a fine after a car crashed into a Dundee University building.

The vehicle smashed into the wall and window of a classroom at the Dalhousie Building shortly after 1pm on Tuesday.

The classroom was empty at the time, though it has been left with extensive damage.

The damage to the classroom. Image: Mhairi Edwards/DC Thomson.

The classroom was empty at the time. Image: Mhairi Edwards/DC Thomson.

No one was injured in the collision.

Witnesses said the car had stopped at the pedestrian crossing on Park Wynd, directly opposite the university building, before the incident.

One member of the university staff, who was helping co-ordinate the scene, said: “The driver was a member of the public, not a staff member or student. He was not injured.

Police inspecting the damage. Image: Mhairi Edwards/DC Thomson.

“No one was injured in the classroom either, thankfully. It was empty as it was lunchtime.

“But it’s a 5ft drop into the classroom and if the kids had been, those breeze blocks would’ve fallen right on them.

‘There could’ve been fatalities’

“It doesn’t bear thinking about what could’ve happened. There could’ve been fatalities.”

Dundee University says classes have been cancelled in the Dalhousie Building and it is closed until Wednesday morning.

A statement from Dundee University alerted students to the crash.

The car smashed into the building. Image: Mhairi Edwards/DC Thomson.

Crowds gather to watch the car being recovered. Image: Mhairi Edwards/DC Thomson.

It said: “There has been an incident at the Dalhousie Building where a car has collided with a wall.

“Students and staff are advised to avoid the area as emergency services attend to the incident.

“We have no initial reports of any injuries and there is no reason to be alarmed.”

Building to reopen on Wednesday

A spokesperson for the university later told The Courier: “No one was injured, including the driver, and thankfully there was no one in the classroom at the time.

“Once the building was secured students were allowed back in to collect any personal belongings.

“The building will reopen tomorrow morning and any affected classes are being moved to different rooms.”

Fire appliances at the scene. Image: Laura Devlin/DC Thomson.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 1pm on Tuesday, police received a report of a car crashing into a building in the Park Wynd area of Dundee.

“There were no reported injuries and recovery was arranged. The driver was issued with a fixed penalty notice.”

The fire service confirmed it sent six appliances, a height appliance and a heavy rescue unit – with crews on scene for just over an hour.

A talk due to take place at the building on Tuesday night with photographer Shahbaz Majeed has been cancelled.