Overview

• On March 27, 2018, a pallet carrying more than two tonnes of bricks fell five storeys from a Higgins Homes tower crane at a Bethnal Green site, causing fatal injuries to Michaela Boor.
• Boor was walking to her son’s nursery with a friend after dropping off their children; she was resuscitated by paramedics at the scene but succumbed to her injuries two days later.
• Higgins Homes Plc is charged with corporate manslaughter and a health and safety offence, while site manager Thomas Anstis, safety officer Stephen Coulson, crane supervisor Dawood Mann and crane operator Alexander McInnes face gross negligence manslaughter and safety breach charges.
• All five defendants pleaded not guilty at Westminster Magistrates’ Court and were granted bail by District Judge Briony Clarke.
• The case follows a seven-year investigation by the Metropolitan Police and Health and Safety Executive that has highlighted alleged failures in construction site safety protocols.