THE giant crane which collapsed on top of a block of flats in Liverpool city centre was finally removed at the weekend.

It was cut into three pieces before being taken away early yesterday.

Two giant cranes brought into help with the removal also left the scene in the Baltic Triangle area at Wapping yesterday.

The fallen crane was placed into the hands of the Health and Safety Executive who will conduct an investigation into the incident.

Its removal from the scene finally allowed around half the residents living in a neighbouring building at 31-33 Cornhill to return to their homes yesterday, helped back in by police officers.

But for others the wait will go on, possibly for several weeks.

The counter balance of the crane smashed through the roof of the Chandlers Wharf flats at 24-26 Cornhill and remains wedged in the building, making it structurally unsound.

Superintendent Simon Irving, from the North Liverpool Command Team, said: “I’m delighted that the crane has been completely removed from the site this weekend and this now means that some of the residents affected can return to their homes before the start of the week.

“People have been incredibly patient having undergone some serious disruption to their lives and we are grateful to them.