Crane collapses onto block of flats in Edinburgh

An investigation has been launched after a crane arm crashed onto a new housing development in Edinburgh.

Witnesses described the structure’s metal joists “folding like matchsticks” as the arm collapsed and landed on a block of flats in Leith, a port district on the shores of the Firth of Forth, narrowly missing a construction worker.

The Scottish Ambulance Service confirmed that two ambulances and a special operations team were sent to the scene, where two patients were treated.

It is understood the section of crane gave way and fell onto the top of the flats, being built on Steads Place, Leith, at around 9.30am on Tuesday.

Photos and footage on social media appeared to show the arm of the crane lying on top of the building, which was covered in scaffolding.

Other photos showed at least five fire engines at the scene, where two roads were temporarily shut.

Sara Henderson, a 49-year-old podiatrist who works at a nearby NHS clinic, said one worker had a lucky escape when the arm “just missed” him as he worked on the roof.

“We just saw the arm collapse, the metal joists folded like matchsticks. All of the workers started running,” she said.

“There was one man on the roof who looked like he was going to be caught by the arm, but it narrowly missed him. A few of the patients in the waiting room said it sounded like an earthquake.”

Graeme Veitch, who runs a shop in the Red Sandstone building close to the site, said his store “physically shook” after the impact.

He said: “There was this almighty thud, it was the strangest thing. The top of the crane has toppled over, as opposed to the whole thing. We don’t know when we’ll get back in – the entire street is closed.”

An investigation into the cause of the incident has been launched, and the Health and Safety Executive has been notified.

The site is being developed into 110 “high-quality apartments” by contractor Collab Construction on behalf of Drum, but the crane was operated by sub-contractors Falcon Tower Crane Services. the development is due to be completed by next summer.

A spokesman for Collab Construction said: “A full investigation is currently under way into the cause of the incident.”