MERSEYSIDE’S top-level fire officers – who are trained to direct complex search and rescue missions – were all absent when a 200ft crane collapsed onto an apartment block.

This week’s crane collapse is the biggest incident to confront firefighters in years.

But, as a huge bid to rescue the stricken tower crane driver began, all four of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service’s (MFRS) highly trained Gold Commanders were out of the city.

The terrifying crash threw the driver from his cab as his crane buckled and crashed into two residential blocks in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle.

A five-tonne counter weight also punched its way through five storeys and into the building’s sub-basement, crushing the main stairwell and lift shaft.

The driver fell into the gaping hole and dropped four floors before settling uneasily between the first and ground floors.

Fire officers last night described the heroics of one building site manager who led rescuers to his injured colleague.

But questions were being raised over why major incident Gold Commanders were absent.

Both chief fire officer Tony McGuirk and assistant chief fire officer Bill Evans were on annual leave.

The service’s number two, Mike Hagan – who is currently acting chief fire officer while CFO McGuirk is away – was in London with three Merseyside councillors to attend a Business in the Community awards ceremony hosted by Prince Charles at Clarence House.

Mr Hagan never made it to Clarence House. He phoned the councillors at around 3.30pm to say he was checking into their hotel on Buckingham Palace Road, but rang back minutes later to say he was rushing back to Liverpool to attend the crane collapse scene. That just left area manager Dan Stephens, the force’s fourth in command. But he started the day 150 miles away in Gloucester.

MRFS say Mr Stephens – who eventually led the search and rescue bid – arrived on scene in time to direct the operation after driving back.