HSE investigation finds no conclusive explanation for the crane collapse at Canary Wharf which led to the deaths of three men.
A three-year Health and Safety Executive investigation into a crane collapse that killed three men has concluded there was “no conclusive explanation” for the incident.
The HSE has announced it will take no enforcement action in relation to the collapse of the tower crane at Canary Wharf in May 2000 after an extensive investigation involving the HSE, Metropolitan Police and external experts failed to yield a firm cause for the incident.
Rosi Edwards, HSE acting chief inspector of construction, said: “While we have been unable to prove how or why this tragic incident occurred, the comprehensive investigation has identified a number of actions that the industry needs to take to avoid the risk of further incidents.”
However, the HSE acknowledged that the decision not to take further action could disappoint the families of those who died.
Michael Whittard (39), Martin Burgess (31) and Peter Clarke (33) fell more 120 metres when the Wolff 320 BF tower crane overturned. They were part of a team who were using a large “climbing frame”, incorporating a hydraulic lifting device, to raise the height of the tower crane when the accident occurred.
