A national crane company has been fined after two men were killed when a crane collapsed at a construction site in London.

Falcon Crane Hire Ltd of Airfield Industrial Estate, Shipdham, Thetford were found to have breached Sections 2 and 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Etc Act.

It was fined £750,000 with £100,000 in costs.

Southwark Crown Court heard how crane operator Jonathan Cloke, 37, died after falling from the crane as it collapsed, while pedestrian Michael Alexa, 23, was also killed during the collapse in September 2006.

The court heard how sections of the tower crane separated when 24 bolts failed due to metal fatigue at the housing development in Thessaly Road, Battersea.

The bolts were a significant safety feature on the crane’s slew ring, which connected the mast (tower) to the slew turret. This allows the arms of the crane (jib) to rotate through 360 degrees. When the bolts failed the slew turret and jib separated from the mast and fell to the ground.

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An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found Falcon Crane Hire Ltd did not investigate a similar incident which happened nine weeks before, when the bolts failed on the same crane and had to be replaced.

The company was found to have had an inadequate system to manage the inspection and maintenance of their fleet of cranes. Their process to investigate the underlying cause of components’ failings was also inadequate.

While HSE told the court the particular bolts were a critical safety part of the crane, the court also heard the bolts failing previously was an 'exceptional and significant occurrence', which should have been recognised by Falcon Crane Hire.

Mike Wilcock, HSE Head of Operations, said: "Jonathan and Michael’s deaths were tragic, needless and entirely avoidable. These two men need not have died had Falcon Crane Hire taken the right, decisive action when the bolts failed the first time. The company fell far short of its health and safety obligation."

Lilliana Alexa, Mr Alexa's mother, said on behalf of her family: "We cannot comprehend how our beloved son, brother, father and friend who was so full of live has gone. The whole crane industry must learn from our tragedy and the devastation it has caused. We do not want another family to endure the same pain of losing their child."

(LM/CD)