Higgins Homes faces manslaughter trial over Bow mother's death

Higgins Homes is facing trial at the Old Bailey accused of corporate manslaughter and a health and safety offence following the death of Michaela Boor. Ms Boor, 29, died on 29 March 2018, two days after being struck by falling bricks on Burdett Road in Bow.

The incident occurred on the morning of 27 March 2018 as Ms Boor was walking past a construction site. A large pallet of bricks, being transported by a tower crane towards a loading bay adjacent to the pavement, fell onto the street. Ms Boor suffered a fractured skull and catastrophic brain injuries. Her friend, Chelsea Mustafa, who was with her, narrowly avoided the main impact but sustained minor injuries to her back and hand, as reported by the BBC.

Charges and Denials

Higgins Homes was the principal contractor and designer for the block of flats being built at the site. In addition to the company, four construction workers contracted by Higgins Homes are also accused of corporate manslaughter and the same health and safety offence. These individuals are Thomas Anstis, 69, the senior site manager; Stephen Coulson, 69, director of Coulson Lifting Services who was not present on the day of the incident; Dawood Maan, 61, the crane supervisor; and Alexander McInnes, 34, the crane operator. Both Higgins Homes and the four men deny all charges.

Opening the case, prosecutor Alexandra Healy KC told the court that Ms Boor's injuries were unsurvivable. She received treatment at the scene before being taken to the Royal London Hospital, where she later died. The trial is ongoing.