Safety inspectors are investigating a crane collapse which occurred at a south London flat development last Tuesday.

The accident occurred at the Bird in Hand Passage in Forest Hill, Lewisham, at a site run by Bromley-based contractor Deco Design & Build.

The jib of the crane was in operation at the time and is believed to have crushed a people carrier and knocked over several concrete pillars, although nobody was injured.

As Building went to press, Rob Copper, Deco Design & Build’s director, was on site with a Health and Safety Executive inspector.

A source said the crane might have collapsed because of metal fatigue. Union Ucatt has called for an inquiry to find out when the crane was lasted inspected.