Inquest begins after police say they will not lay manslaughter charges

An inquest into the deaths of two people after the collapse of a crane in Battersea will begin today.

Michael Alexa, 23, and Jonathan Cloake, 37, both died when a crane collapsed at a Barratt Homes development in Battersea on September 26, 2006.

Cloake was in the driving cab of the crane when it collapsed onto Alexa, who was cleaning his car in the street at the time.

The inquest can now go ahead after the Crown Prosecution Service said they would not lay manslaughter charges following a five year investigation.

The inquest will be heard over four consecutive days at Westminster Coroner’s Court.