Crane accident

A 50m construction crane collapsed on a block of flats leading to the death of the crane driver and a member of the public. Two other people suffered minor injuries from the crane accident.

Around 50 people from the block of flats hit by the crane were evacuated to the community clubroom on the estate as police and firefighters cordoned off the area around the building site.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched an investigation to establish the sequence of events leading to the crane accident, supported by Wandsworth Police and the Met Police.

Crane accident caused by dislodgement

Construction company Barratts, which was building a residential complex on the site close to Battersea power station, said the crane boom became dislodged and fell on to the homes and a parked car.

Barratts are said to be cooperating fully with the investigating authorities and are also carrying out their own health and safety investigation.

However, local residents had previously expressed concerns over the safety of the machinery, as the flats are being built on the site of an old school, close to several houses. Wandsworth Borough Council had assured them it was safe.

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