Two deaths following Battersea crane collapse

Two people have been killed and another injured following a crane collapse at Barratt’s Viridian flat development in the Battersea area of south London on Tuesday 26 September.

The first victim is the crane driver, while the other is a member of the public who was working on his car near the site when the 50m crane collapsed. A third person has also been injured after a section of the crane also struck a nearby group of flats.

Residents of the flats were last night relocated to hotels while an investigation is carried out by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and the police.

The HSE was unable to release any further details, but confirmed to Contract Journal that there had been two fatalities following the incident.

The site will remain closed today to allow the investigation to continue.

A Barratt spokesman said: “We understand a crane boom became dislodged and fell onto homes adjacent to the site, then onto a parked car. Tragically, the crane driver and a man who was working on the car have died and another person has minor injuries.

“We are, of course, co-operating fully with the investigating authorities and our own health and safety team and a senior management team. We will also be carrying out our own investigation.

“This was a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the families of the men who have died.”