Crane collapses at Midland Metropolitan Hospital site
A crane has partially collapsed onto a building at the Midland Metropolitan Hospital construction site.
Firefighters were called after a 66ft (20m) section fell onto a flat roof at the site in Smethwick.
West Midlands Fire Service said crews described the tower crane section as being in a "precarious position".
A further crane section "remains unstable" at the scene, a spokesman added.
The fire service was alerted to the site, in Grove Street, by a 999 call at around 11.40am today.
Spokesman Neil Spencer said the building was evacuated but confirmed no-one has been injured.
It is understood the crane collapsed as it was being dismantled and a Health and Safety Executive team have been called to the site.
One crew from Handsworth fire station attended.
Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospital NHS Trust, which own the site, says it was aware of the collapse.
Director of Estates and New Hospitals, Alan Kenny, said: “We were informed immediately of this incident and notified that no-one has been harmed.
"I am confident that this matter will be thoroughly investigated.”
Construction group Balfour Beatty, which is overseeing the site, said in a statement: "“We can confirm that an incident took place on our Midland Metropolitan Hospital site on 9th April 2019 whereby a section of crane fell whilst being dismantled.
“The health and safety of the public and our workforce is always our primary concern and we can confirm that no one was hurt as a result of this incident.
“The surrounding area was immediately secured and works have now ceased on site while the crane section is safely removed, after which works will resume.
“An investigation is ongoing into the cause and therefore it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”
Building work on the Midland Met Hospital was plunged into chaos following the collapse of the original contractor Carillion.
The second biggest builder in the UK, Wolverhampton-based Carillion went into liquidation in January 2018, bringing construction to a halt.
NHS trust bosses are hoping to choose a new builder by the summer so work can start on completing the £475 million hospital, now due to open three years late in 2022.
