Wind halts collapsed crane lift

The crane is wrapped over the top of the building

The lifting of a crane which collapsed on top of a Liverpool block of flats has been delayed.

The machine was carrying a five-tonne weight when it crashed into the four-storey block at Cornhill on Monday.

Specialist engineers are at the site, but winds are hampering efforts to lift the crane from the roof.

The crane's operator was rescued from the roof of the building and taken to hospital, where he was said to be in a stable condition.

Dangling basket

Wayne Crompton, from the Health and Safety Executive, said: "While today seems to be rather a pleasant day, wind is an important factor.

"On the ground, it's very nice today, but 30m in the air it can be quite significant.

"If a man is in a man-riding basket dangling from a crane with a welding torch in his hand, you want him to be as steady and stable as he possibly can be."

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said residents had a lucky escape when the weight attached to the crane's arm hit the building at lunchtime.

The Health and Safety Executive is carrying out an investigation.

About 100 residents have been moved to temporary accommodation.