Crane man's tears

A jury returned this verdict following an all-day inquest at Worthing County Court.

The construction worker who survived the high school crane collapse sobbed as he gave evidence.

David Smith, an experienced crane operator, described how he had climbed the 100ft crane loosening bolts on Friday, February 11, 2005, as part of preparation for it being fully dismantled the following day.

The court heard such loosening was "routine procedure" but that a certain degree of "torque" '“ the bolt's tightness '“ was to be left to ensure the safety of the structure.

Experts later told the jury of six women and three men that bolts were not tightened sufficiently enough to maintain the load of the turning crane, causing it to topple over.

Read the full story in this week's Herald