A construction company, Higgins Homes, and four individuals are facing trial following the death of Michaela Boor, who was struck by falling bricks near a development site in east London. The incident occurred on March 29, when a pallet of bricks being transported by a tower crane at a construction site developed by Higgins Homes plc fell onto the pavement.
The prosecution alleges that the pallet caught on scaffolding while being hoisted, causing the bricks to fall. Crane operator McInnes, who had a restricted view of the load, was engaged in what the prosecution described as a "blind lift" when the pallet became obscured from sight. Chelsea Mustafa, who was with Boor, managed to run into the road and avoid the bulk of the falling debris, sustaining minor injuries to her back and hand. However, Michaela Boor did not escape the falling bricks, which fractured her skull and caused catastrophic brain injuries. Despite receiving treatment at the scene and being transported to the Royal London Hospital, her injuries were deemed unsurvivable.
Higgins Homes was the principal contractor and designer for the project to build a block of flats. The prosecution contends that no risk assessment was conducted for lifting pallets of bricks near the public, and that Higgins Homes failed to consider the safety of individuals outside the construction site. The company is accused of failing to provide adequate protection for the public.
Among the individuals on trial is Anstis, 69, the senior site manager and temporary work coordinator, who was responsible for overseeing the building site and subcontractors. Prosecutors claim evidence suggests Anstis "cut corners" to reduce costs. Coulson, 69, director of Coulson Lifting Services, was in charge of lifting operations but was not present at the site on the day of the incident. Maan, 61, served as the crane supervisor, overseeing lifting operations, and McInnes, 34, was the crane operator.
The trial is ongoing.