Builders on trial over woman killed by falling bricks

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In a tragic incident in east London, a woman named Michaela Boor lost her life when a pallet carrying over two tonnes of bricks dropped from a crane onto the pavement. The unfortunate event took place in March 2018 as Boor, aged 30, was walking with a friend after dropping off their children at school. The incident occurred on Burdett Road in Bethnal Green, where a substantial number of bricks fell from the crane, striking Boor on the pavement.

The severity of the situation led to a developer and four individuals facing charges of manslaughter, with the case being brought to Westminster Magistrates’ Court for trial. Higgins Homes Plc, the developer, is facing allegations of corporate manslaughter and a breach of health and safety regulations. Additionally, Thomas Anstis, Stephen Coulson, Dawood Mann, and Alexander McInnes are charged with gross negligence manslaughter and violating health and safety protocols in connection to the tragic incident.

Prosecutor Busola Johnson highlighted the nature of the case, emphasizing the fatal accident on March 27, 2018, that resulted in Boor’s untimely death. Despite efforts to provide medical assistance at the scene and in the hospital, Boor succumbed to her severe injuries two days later. The roles of the defendants were outlined, with Higgins Homes Plc identified as the property developer, Anstis as the site manager, Coulson responsible for the lifting plan, Mann as a crane supervisor, and McInnes as the crane operator.

During the court proceedings, the defendants only confirmed their identities as they faced the charges against them. Judge Briony Clarke granted bail to the accused until their next court appearance at the Old Bailey on July 14. The tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to safety regulations in construction sites to prevent such devastating incidents from reoccurring

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More

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