Massive 65-foot crane collapses onto two terraced houses and block of flats being built in London leaving four injured as firefighters try to rescue people trapped inside
- A 65-foot crane collapsed onto houses on Gale St in Bow, east London
- One man who was ‘stuck’ under the crane has been rescue by fire crews
- Several vehicles and buildings have damaged – Police say to avoid the area
A 65-foot-high crane has collapsed in east London, destroying two houses and leaving four people injured with fears others could be trapped in the wreckage.
Pictures from the scene at a building site on Gale Street in Bow show gaping holes in the roof of a house and through a nearby fence. Several cars can also be seen covered in dust and debris.
Witnesses who rushed to the scene moments after the terrifying incident say the man has been injured after being trapped by the crane.
Police who responded to 999 calls at around 2.40pm confirmed that the crane collapsed into a residential property and a building site, leaving four people injured.
It is believed that firefighters are trying to free people who are trapped inside the two homes struck by the crane.
A 20-metre-high crane has collapsed in east London, destroying two houses and leaving four people injured. It is feared more people could be trapped in the wreckage of the two homes
Neighbour Bridget Teirney said: ‘Crane behind my building just collapsed in Bow, London. At least one man crushed, crane went through 2 house.’
She added that the crane driver has ‘made it down safely’ but that ‘one man, who is responding and being assisted by fire and ambulance is still under the crane.’
A few minutes later she said that the man had been freed and was being taken to hospital.
Assistant Commissioner Graham Ellis said that Urban Search and Rescue crews had begun a ‘complex rescue operation’ to search the two properties.
Aerial footage shows how the huge metal structure ripped through the roof into the top floors of the homes, with windows blowing open from the force of the impact.
‘This is a multi-agency response and is likely to be a protracted incident. I would ask people to avoid the area.’
Fire crews have also deployed a drone to provide aerial imagery to aid the rescue operation.
Police have evacuated the surrounding properties and cordoned off the street.
London Fire Brigade said they have received 14 calls to reports of a crane that has collapsed onto a building in Gale Street, Bow
London Fire Brigade said they have received 14 calls to reports of a crane that has collapsed onto a building in Gale Street, Bow.
A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: ‘We were called at 2.42pm today to reports of an incident involving a crane collapsing near Watts Grove, Bow.
‘We dispatched a number of specialist resources including an advanced paramedic, ambulance crews and our hazardous area response teams (HART), with the first of our medics arriving within three minutes.
‘The incident is ongoing and we are working closely with other members of the emergency services at the scene.’
Emergency services are asking people to stay out of the area.
A crane has collapsed in east London reportedly destroying two houses and leaving one man seriously injured