CRANE COLLAPSE, CORNHILL, BALTIC TRIANGLE

MANY questions have been raised after yet another crane has collapsed in Liverpool City Centre. People across the city are asking how this happened and will it happen again? On Monday, 6 July 2009, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and the North West Ambulance Service were called to the scene of the latest collapsed crane, that ripped through an apartment building on Cornhill in the Baltic Triangle, in Liverpool City Centre.

At first no reports of injuries came through, but it later was revealed that the crane driver had suffered injuries to his head, chest and legs, as a result of the incident. He was then taken to hospital where he remains in a serious, but stable condition in hospital.

People in the apartments we were evacuated shortly after the accident happened and structural engineers from the Local Authority and the Health and Safety Executive assessed the damage at the scene.

The Local Authority then set up a rest centre at Park Road Leisure Centre, Toxteth, and is still working with construction company, Bowmer and Kirkland, to provide alternative accommodation for those who are unable to return to their apartments. In total, more than 20 people spent the first night in hotels or with friends after being evacuated from their homes. Sadly for residents living in the development, blocks 31 and 33 have also now been emptied on the advice of Honeybourne Kenny chartered surveyors. It is thought that the entire development could now be unsafe.

Merseyside Police on Thursday, 7 July 2009 said that:- "Phase two, which will resume the search for any potential casualties, will begin after the damaged crane and the counter balance have been removed from the scene. Specialists from the Health and Safety Executive are currently assessing the scene to establish when it will be safe to remove the damaged crane and the counterbalance. Two large cranes, an 800 tonne crane from London and a 500 tonne crane from Leyland, will be assisting in the removal of the damaged crane. The removal operation should be underway within 24 hours. This will be wholly dependent on the assessment of the scene."

Superintendent Simon Irving said:- "Merseyside Police and its partners,Merseyside Fire and Rescue, Northwest Ambulance Service, Liverpool City Council and the HSE, would like to thank local residents for their continued patience and understanding during this difficult and complex operation. Residents in the local area have raised concerns about another crane that is in close proximity to the scene. This crane is currently being assessed by specialists from the HSE and independent engineers to establish its safety."

A spokesman developers Bowmer & Kirkland, whose Crane 2a collapsed, said:- "As a precaution,Tower Crane 1 is being examined by an independent engineer, to ensure it remains in a safe condition."

A Health and Safety Executive investigation has been launched into the incident. At this point in time it is still unclear as to what happened.

HERE COMES THE SUN

SOON school will be out for the summer and National Museums Liverpool is hosting free events, exhibitions and workshops for all the family throughout the six week holiday.

With a jam packed schedule planned here are just some of the highlights, however full listings can be found at:- liverpoolmuseums.org.uk.

ST HELENS MAN NAMED BUSINESS HERO IN BARCLAYS TRADING PLACES AWARDS

A local business man who owns an electrical installation company has been named one of the UK’s top businesses in the 2009 Barclays Trading Places Awards; a national award honouring men and women who are turning their lives around by choosing to start up a business.

The St Helens entrepreneur is now in the running for national glory in the award finals to be held later this year.

The Government backed awards recognise business heroes who are no strangers to overcoming adversity – whether it’s dealing with illness or disability, facing challenging family responsibilities head-on, or turning their back on benefits.

Sam Thompson was diagnosed with Dyspraxia and Dyslexia at the age of three, and underwent intensive speech therapy to enable him to speak.

Despite his early struggles, Sam achieved eight GCSEs by the time he left school at 16.

He went on to study electrical installation at the Isle of Wight College, where he gained three distinctions, leading him to win an apprenticeship with Southern Electric.

During 2007, Sam obtained work as a self-employed electrician to enhance his skills but the job ended in May 2008 as the credit crunch began to bite.

Sam claimed jobseekers allowance and applied for any electrical job he saw advertised, but without success. After researching his prospects with local builders and the Chamber of Commerce, Sam found he could be successful in securing small contacts on the Island, and decided to go into business for himself.

With the help of The Prince’s Trust, Sam raised the funds he needed to take the examination to register with the NIC/EIC , the regulating body for electrical installation and began to gain small, permanent contracts.

Sam has recently qualified to undertake portable appliance testing, which he hopes will increase his business and for the future, he hopes to invest in the necessary skills to install renewable energy sources, such as wind turbines and solar panels.

Barclays Marketing Director for Local Business, John Davis, a judge on the panel, said:- “Trading Places is a celebration of inspiring people who have struggled through adversity to get their businesses up and running – even during these turbulent times. The caliber of this year's entries is outstanding and we hope that with this recognition, S.T Electrical will continue on the road to success. We also hope Sam’s story will inspire other budding entrepreneurs in St Helens, who face similar difficulties in there private lives, to come forward and turn their own business dreams into reality."

This year’s national finalists will be competing in three new categories – Triumph over Disability, Success after Unemployment and the Spirit of Inspiration Award – before hoping to be named the 2009 Barclays Trading Places Winner.

Each category winner will also walk away with £5,000 for their business, courtesy of Barclays, and all national finalists will receive £2,000 worth of computer software from awards supporter Microsoft.

Another new addition for 2009 will see the awards partners coming together to offer everyone who enters a range of business support and mentoring packages.   Other award partners are Jobcentre Plus, youth charity The Prince’s Trust, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), the NFEA and Leonard Cheshire Disability.