A 20-metre crane has collapsed on a cluster of properties in east London, killing one person and injuring four others. Crews battled to free those stuck in two terraced houses and a block of flats under construction on Compton Close which were crushed in the accident.

A woman was found on the first floor of one of the houses and confirmed dead at the scene. A video posted online by a witness showed the top storey of the four-floor block of flats caved in with the crane lying on top of it.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan tweeted: “This is a tragedy. My heartfelt condolences go out to the family of the victim who died during this incident in Bow today. I sincerely hope that the four individuals injured make a full recovery”.