Bow crane collapse: Victim named by family as 85-year-old June Harvey

Wreckage of crane that collapsed in Bow, east London

A man has told of his “miracle” escape after a crane collapsed onto his house in east London, killing his 85-year-old great aunt.

June Harvey died while others were injured, including a construction worker who is in a critical condition in hospital, on Wednesday afternoon.

Almost 100 people have been evacuated from their homes after the 20-metre crane fell on a site where flats were being constructed, and crashed into two terraced houses in Compton Close, Bow.

Sam Atkinson, 28, who lived with Ms Harvey, along with his mother Jacqueline Atkinson, 63, and their dog, said: "The noise was indescribable."

Mr Atkinson said he ran out of the house before rescuing his mother, adding: "The neighbours called me to the front, where she was at the front window."

Mr Atkinson’s family have set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for costs. He paid tribute to Ms Harvey as a “very caring woman, who was “loyal to her family”.

Firefighters are working to recover Ms Harvey’s body safely, while the Metropolitan Police said an investigation is in its early stages and there have been no arrests.

Tower Hamlets council said 97 residents from 26 households have been temporarily rehoused in hotel accommodation.