Woman dies in Bow crane collapse

The crane went through the roof of nearby homes (credit: Bridget Teirney)

A woman has died and four others are injured after a crane toppled over and crashed through the roof of two terraced houses in Bow.

The 20-metre tall structure collapsed at a building site in Gale Street at around 2.30pm this afternoon, and then went through the roof of a row of homes in nearby Compton Close.

The London Ambulance Service confirmed a person was found dead at the scene.

The crane collapsed and fell over a building site onto neighbouring houses (credit: LAS)

Firefighters found her on first floor of one of the properties that was hit. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Two people have been taken to hospital with head injuries and a further two were treated at the scene.

A further update from the scene at #Bow. Sadly, despite the efforts of emergency services, a fifth person has been found and died at the scene.

Our thoughts are with their family at this difficult time. https://t.co/plbUezZc5X

— London Ambulance Service (@Ldn_Ambulance) July 8, 2020

The London Fire Brigade’s Assistant Commissioner Graham Ellis said: “A 20 meter crane collapsed onto a block of flats under development and into two terraced houses on Compton Close.

“Our Urban Search and Rescue crews undertook a complex rescue operation and used specialist equipment to search the properties.

“Sadly one woman died at the scene. The London Ambulance Service have confirmed that two people were taken to hospital with head injuries and a further two were treated at the scene.”

Devons Road is closed and drivers are being advised to seek alternative routes.

The Mayor of Tower Hamlets, John Biggs, has Tweeted his condolences to the woman’s family.

He has also said questions will need to be answered.

Tragic news that a resident has died as a result of the crane collapse in Bow. Our whole community’s thoughts are with their family and loved ones at this awful time. https://t.co/OvQ5cRe8FM

— Mayor John Biggs (@MayorJohnBiggs) July 8, 2020

A rest centre has been set up at Langdon Park School.

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