The cab and crane sections caught on the roof of a nearby hotel
Witnesses reported that the crane was lifting ‘a steel beam’ at the time of the accident. As the crane was being extended, it would appear that, if these reports were correct, this was a tower section.
The cab of the crane, hanging from the hotel
At the time of the accident, the crane’s driver was in the cab, with other workers in the tower. The cab and top section of the crane fell, and landed on the roof of a hotel below, with the driver trapped inside: If it hadn’t been for this obstacle, the falling sections would have crashed to the ground.
The damaged crane (left), and the second crane used to lift the driver to safety
The injured driver was rescued using a second tower crane at work on the site. Three workers inside the tower were trapped as falling components damaged the tower, and destroyed access ladders.
Wreckage below the site of the collapsed crane
A Terex Comedil spokesman said that employees of the manufacturer were visiting the site, to assist the HSE with their investigation.
Examining the accident site
The cab of the crane, hanging from the hotel Croydon cab Examining the accident site Inspectors croydon Wreckage below the site of the collapsed crane Croydon wreckage The cab and crane sections caught on the roof of a nearby hotel Caught The damaged crane (left), and the second crane used to lift the driver to safety Both cranes
