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Crane deaths building site closed Crane deaths building site closed
(about 4 hours later)
Construction workers have gathered to pay their respects at the site of a fatal crane crash in south-west London.Construction workers have gathered to pay their respects at the site of a fatal crane crash in south-west London.
Two people died when a 165ft (50m) crane collapsed onto a block of flats on Tuesday afternoon. Two men died on Tuesday afternoon when a 165ft (50m) crane collapsed at a building site in Battersea onto a block of flats.
The driver of the crane at a building site in Battersea died along with a man who was crushed as he washed his car. The site has been closed. The 37-year-old crane driver died along with a 23-year-old who was crushed as he washed his car. A third man is said to be in hospital with minor injuries.
A third man is said to be in hospital with minor injuries. The Health and Safety Executive is investigating. The site has been closed and the Health and Safety Executive is investigating.
The site was cordoned off by police overnight and a bouquet of flowers was attached to the fence.The site was cordoned off by police overnight and a bouquet of flowers was attached to the fence.
The crane collapsed on a development. Picture Pablo Behrens
Workers from construction company Barrett gathered across the road from the site on Wednesday morning.Workers from construction company Barrett gathered across the road from the site on Wednesday morning.
The flats were evacuated after the crane collapsed and police said no-one inside was hurt. It has been reported the crane operator was thrown out of the cab.The flats were evacuated after the crane collapsed and police said no-one inside was hurt. It has been reported the crane operator was thrown out of the cab.
Workers in nearby buildings were told the road leading to the site would be closed again later on Wednesday to allow two other cranes to remove the wreckage.Workers in nearby buildings were told the road leading to the site would be closed again later on Wednesday to allow two other cranes to remove the wreckage.
Residents, who live next to the site, described the collapse as like a bomb going off.Residents, who live next to the site, described the collapse as like a bomb going off.
'Massive bang'
Police, ambulance staff and firefighters were called shortly before 1800 BST on Tuesday to the site in Battersea Park.Police, ambulance staff and firefighters were called shortly before 1800 BST on Tuesday to the site in Battersea Park.
Local resident Ron Brown said: "I just heard a massive bang and I thought a bomb had gone off. Then I saw loads of dust go up.Local resident Ron Brown said: "I just heard a massive bang and I thought a bomb had gone off. Then I saw loads of dust go up.
"I saw the front end of the crane had hit a block of flats and before I knew it the emergency services were crawling all over the place."I saw the front end of the crane had hit a block of flats and before I knew it the emergency services were crawling all over the place.
Witness Joanna Herrera, said: "I was sitting at home when there was a huge bang. I went outside. There was a guy on top of a crane and a guy washing his car. All you could see was his leg underneath."Witness Joanna Herrera, said: "I was sitting at home when there was a huge bang. I went outside. There was a guy on top of a crane and a guy washing his car. All you could see was his leg underneath."
When I went past the building that was damaged all the windows were blown out Eyewitness Ron BrownWhen I went past the building that was damaged all the windows were blown out Eyewitness Ron Brown
Tony Ddumba, 16, said he was talking to the man who died just moments before he was crushed by the crane.Tony Ddumba, 16, said he was talking to the man who died just moments before he was crushed by the crane.
"I saw the stones falling first and as they fell down, I saw the crane wobbling and I thought something was going on," he said."I saw the stones falling first and as they fell down, I saw the crane wobbling and I thought something was going on," he said.
A number of residents said they had complained to the council earlier on Tuesday about the proximity of the crane to their homes, although Wandsworth Council could not confirm this.A number of residents said they had complained to the council earlier on Tuesday about the proximity of the crane to their homes, although Wandsworth Council could not confirm this.
'Unusual incident''Unusual incident'
A police spokesman said 25 flats and maisonettes on the Patmore Estate were evacuated.A police spokesman said 25 flats and maisonettes on the Patmore Estate were evacuated.
Martin Linton, Labour MP for Battersea, said: "This tragic incident happened when the jib of the crane broke off the mast.Martin Linton, Labour MP for Battersea, said: "This tragic incident happened when the jib of the crane broke off the mast.
"It's a very unusual incident. The jib fell on to a local resident who was standing in the courtyard of the flats. The driver was thrown out of the crane, as I understand it.""It's a very unusual incident. The jib fell on to a local resident who was standing in the courtyard of the flats. The driver was thrown out of the crane, as I understand it."
He said residents had been moved from the block of flats to a hotel in Brent Cross, north London. The crane driver was employed by Falcon Crane Hire, in Thetford, Norfolk.
Mr Linton said residents had been moved from the block of flats to a hotel in Brent Cross, north London.
He said he hoped they would be moved to hotels closer to Battersea and allowed back to collect their possessions.He said he hoped they would be moved to hotels closer to Battersea and allowed back to collect their possessions.
The road outside the site was closed overnight
Det Supt Guy Ferguson, of Wandsworth police, said a joint investigation into the accident was under way.Det Supt Guy Ferguson, of Wandsworth police, said a joint investigation into the accident was under way.
"The sequence of events is yet to be established, and that will be done by ourselves, the Met Police and the Health and Safety Executive, who have been contacted.""The sequence of events is yet to be established, and that will be done by ourselves, the Met Police and the Health and Safety Executive, who have been contacted."
In a statement, Barrett said it was co-operating with the investigation authorities.In a statement, Barrett said it was co-operating with the investigation authorities.
"Our own health and safety team and a senior management team are present on site," he said. "We will also be carrying out our own investigation.""Our own health and safety team and a senior management team are present on site," he said. "We will also be carrying out our own investigation."