Sheffield construction firm issue 'heartfelt condolences' after crane kills woman

A Sheffield construction company have issued their condolences to the family of an 85-year-old woman who died after one of their cranes collapsed into a block of flats in east London.
By Lizzie Day
Published 10th Jul 2020, 07:35 BST
Updated 10th Jul 2020, 13:22 BST
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Wolffkran Limited based on Grange Mill Lane near Shiregreen, have released a statement after one of their 65ft crane towers crashed onto two properties in Gale Street, Bow in London yesterday (Wednesday, July 8).

The accident killed 85-year-old woman, June Harvey who was on the first floor of one home when the crane collapsed onto the block of flats and a construction worker remains in a critical condition.

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The Sheffield construction firm which employs around 300 people and is a subsidiary of global crane manufacturer Wolffkran, said four other people have been injured in the tragedy, including two employees.

A Sheffield construction company have issued their condolences to the family of an 85-year-old woman who died after one of their cranes collapsed into a block of flats in east London.A Sheffield construction company have issued their condolences to the family of an 85-year-old woman who died after one of their cranes collapsed into a block of flats in east London.
A Sheffield construction company have issued their condolences to the family of an 85-year-old woman who died after one of their cranes collapsed into a block of flats in east London.

A spokesperson for Wolffkran said in a statement: "On Wednesday, July 8th, at 14:40 BST, a WOLFF tower crane belonging to WOLFFKRAN Ltd. collapsed on a construction site in Bow, East London.

"According to the authorities, a resident of the adjacent houses that were struck by the jib of the crane died. Four other people were injured, two of whom are WOLFFKRAN employees.

"Both are in hospital, with one seriously injured and the other scheduled to be released today.

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“The WOLFFKRAN management and staff are deeply upset by this tragedy and express their heartfelt condolences to the family of the woman that died in the incident.

Members of the Fire Brigade stand on a platform as they look into the damaged roof of a property in Bow, east London on July 8, 2020, after a crane collapsed onto flats under construction.Members of the Fire Brigade stand on a platform as they look into the damaged roof of a property in Bow, east London on July 8, 2020, after a crane collapsed onto flats under construction.
Members of the Fire Brigade stand on a platform as they look into the damaged roof of a property in Bow, east London on July 8, 2020, after a crane collapsed onto flats under construction.

"Our thoughts are with all those affected, our own staff, and their families.

"We also thank the rescue teams for their work on site.

"Employees of WOLFFKRAN Ltd. have been on site since yesterday supporting the responsible authorities in their investigations and preparations to remove the crane from the site.

“The affected crane is a WOLFF luffing jib crane of type WOLFF 355 B, which is one of WOLFFKRAN’s most tried and tested cranes, reliable in operation worldwide, and currently in operation on 18 sites across the UK.

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"The crane on the construction site in Bow was only 10 years old and was fully erected on a 22 meter tower the day before the incident.”

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