Canary Wharf jury returns open verdict

The jury at St Pancras Coroners Court returned an open verdict yesterday on the three deaths caused three years ago by the Canary Wharf crane collapse.

The cause of the collapse was not "fully or further explained", the jury said, adding that "during the climbing process the upper guide wheel became deformed, twisting off its mounting" before the upper part of the crane fell backwards.

Three men died in the collapse on 21 May 2000 at Canada Square in east London: crane erection supervisor Michael Whittard; tower crane operator Martin Burgess; and crane operator Peter Thomas Clark.

Yvonne Tomlinson, Burgess' sister, said the families of the deceased were unhappy with the outcome. "There was not enough detailed questioning by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and we will go away and think about what, if any action, we should take."

Gareth Hetherington, the sole survivor of the collapse, said: "I'm a bit disappointed we've not been able to find out what happened."

HSE inspector Mike Williams said: "The HSE has undertaken an extensive investigation into the incident. However, despite this, we are aware that we may never establish conclusively the precise technical cause of this tragic incident.

"The investigation is not yet complete and we will be reviewing all the evidence in the light of the inquest before deciding what formal action we should now take."