Crash residents still to go home

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 17 Januari 2013 | 19.21

17 January 2013 Last updated at 06:32 ET

Up to 40 people who were asked to leave their homes after a helicopter crashed into a crane in central London have spent the night away from their homes.

Police said debris from Wednesday's crash in South Lambeth was scattered over a large area including rooftops and some homes were inaccessible.

Crane operator Nicki Biagioni, 30, of Essex, said he was "very lucky" to avoid the crash as he had overslept.

Pete Barnes, the pilot, and pedestrian Matthew Wood were killed in the crash.

Mr Barnes, 50, from near Reading in Berkshire, had flown for Redhill firm Rotormotion for 15 years and has been described by colleagues as "highly skilled".

Mr Wood, 39, from Sutton, was killed as he made his way to his job at Rentokil.

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I'm very lucky. It is unbelievable."

End Quote Nicki Biagioni Crane operator

A statement from the firm said: "A sad day for us all.

"Our colleague, Matt Wood, was fatally injured yesterday in the helicopter crash in Vauxhall as he walked to work."

Speaking about the morning of the crash, father-of-two Mr Biagioni, said he is usually woken up for work at 05:00 GMT by his children.

But on Wednesday, he said his children did not wake up until an hour later, and that saved his life.

He said: "I'm very lucky. It is unbelievable, I am still in shock, I can't believe it.

"If it wasn't for my boys not waking me up that would have been it."

Broken leg

An investigation is now under way into why the helicopter hit the crane on The Tower, One St George Wharf, in South Lambeth on Wednesday morning.

Twelve people were injured and five of them were taken to hospital. One person suffered a broken leg while the others had minor injuries.

Cars and two buildings caught fire after the burning wreckage from the helicopter fell into Wandsworth Road, which remains closed.

Eyewitnesses said people in the area "ran screaming" as flaming debris fell from above.

Blazing helicopter fuel and wreckage covered part of the street.

Michael Krumstets was on his way to work when he saw the helicopter hit the crane.

He said: "It started spinning out of control and directly towards us. It took just seconds for this to happen."

People were asked to leave several buildings in the area near The Tower, including apartments in St George Wharf.

'Rapid response'

Nabila Fowles-Gutierrez, 39, who lives in Armada House in St George Wharf, said fire alarms were going off in her building but no-one came forward with any clear information, leaving residents "confused and worried".

She said: "It was really quite panicky and very upsetting.

"The residents weren't really updated properly and we still haven't been properly communicated with."

Lambeth Councillor Lib Peck said people in the area had complained about helicopters.

She said: "People have raised the issue of safety.

"I mean clearly the skyline of London has changed dramatically in the last five, 10, 15 years and obviously the build-up is around the river area.

"And it is something that we will be raising in the light of this incident with the local MPs and the mayor."

Prime Minister David Cameron and London Mayor Boris Johnson both paid tribute to the "rapid and professional response" of the emergency services.

The BBC Weather Centre said observations at the time of the crash on Wednesday showed very low but not thick fog.

Mr Johnson said lights on cranes and tall buildings would be reviewed following the crash.

The closure of several roads would be reviewed after midday, the Met said.

Wandsworth Road and Nine Elms Lane remain closed between Vauxhall Cross and Queenstown Road and up to eight bus routes are on diversion.

The road closures have led to delays and congestion in the area around Battersea Rise, Battersea Park Road, Albert Bridge Road, Clapham, Camberwell, Oval, Clapham Road, Kennington and Millbank.


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