Canary Wharf crane collapse: cause unclear

The cause of the Canary Wharf crane collapse in 2000 is unclear, the inquest into the fatal accident heard today (Thursday).

Although the wind could have contributed to the 110t arm of the tower crane topling, it was not of "sufficient force to cause the eventual failing", the St Pancras Coroners Court was told.

Health & Safety Executive inspector Mike Williams told the court the hypothesis that strong winds had changed direction by 180 degrees was not satisfactory. In a 10-minute period wind is only likely to change 60 degrees in direction. "It's unlikley we would see it reverse to 180 degrees."

Wind speed is an important contributory factor to an overload, Williams said, but there was "not sufficient information suggesting wind was a factor" in the Canary Wharf collapse.

He said the conclusion that there was "overload to the north-east wheel housing and a number of factors are relevant, but there's not a clearer explanation".

Williams added that there could have been a disengagement of the yoke, but: "The great difficulty with that explanation is it is very difficult to miss - you would recall the banging, but witnesses haven't done so."

The jury is set to retire this afternoon to consider its verdict.