12:10pm Saturday 28th April 2007
By Paul Cahalan
Family and friends of two men who were tragically killed after a crane fell in Battersea gathered this morning to witness the unveiling of a plaque in their memory.
Michael Alexa, 23, and Jonathan Cloke, 37, were both killed following the incident on September 26 last year. Mr Cloke was inside the cab of the crane and Mr Alexa was struck when the crane collapsed at the Barratt Homes site on the corner of Thessaly Road and Battersea Park Road.
Mr Cloke's wife, Joy Cloke, came down from Guildford with her one-year-old son, Zion, for the unveiling.
Mr Alexa's mother and father also attended along with his partner Angela.
Joy Cloke said: "I have come down today to honour his memory. He was a loving and caring person. He sang and danced for our son, he had a brave heart and he loved to travel and meet different people. He was incredibly kind and generous."
Mr Cloke's mother, Eileen Sharp, said: "It is hard to see his name up there on the plaque but it is nice to have somewhere he is remembered."
The plaque was organised by the Battersea Crane Disaster Action Group (BCDAG) in association with the Construction Safety Campaign.
As well as the families, representatives from Barratt Homes, Wandsworth Council and the police attended along with Battersea MP Martin Linton and the minister for health and safety.
Liliana Alexa is Michael's mother and secretary of the BCDAG .
She said: "It has been seven months since the tragedy and it is good to be here today and have somewhere to come and remember him. He had lots of ambition and lots to live for. We want justice is that too much to ask for?"
An investigation into the tragedy is on-going and a permanent memorial is also being constructed.
The plaque reads: "In memory of Michael Alexa and Jonathon Cloke who were tragically killed here in a crane accident on 26 September 2006."
Is the investigation taking too long? Leave a comment and let us know your thoughts.
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