Michaela Boor was on her way to her son Kieran’s nursery when the masonry fell five storeys from a Higgins Home building development on Burdett Road and hit her
(Picture: Alaina Selby)The mother of a woman who was killed when a pallet of bricks fell from a building site in Mile End has told of her frustration that no one has been held to account for her death nearly four years later.
Michaela Boor was on her way to her son Kieran’s nursery on March 27, 2018 when the masonry fell five storeys from a Higgins Home building development on Burdett Road and hit her just after 9.30am. Bystanders found her lying in a pile of rubble and broken wood.
Paramedics were able to resuscitate Ms Boor at the scene but she died in hospital two days later. Her family made the painful decision to turn off her life support the day after her 29th birthday.
Michaela was laid to rest at a funeral ceremony at the nearby Manor Park Crematorium on April 27, 2018.
Both the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Met Police confirmed that they are still investigating the circumstances of Ms Boor’s death.
But Ms Boor’s mother Alaina Selby told the Standard that she had received “no closure” over the tragedy and feels as if she had been “left in the dark”. Every day, she walks past the site of her daughter’s death, now a gleaming new-build apartment, as she takes Kieran to school.
“We can’t move on and for me, each year is getting worse,” she said. “Kieran is eight now and he starts to notice things. He says ‘why can’t we walk past the building, nanny?’… I always tell him to cross the road.”
Meanwhile, the family is pursuing a civil claim against four firms involved in the building of the site – who have not admitted liability. Ms Selby says she has already waited too long for clarity over her daughter’s death.
“I want to know why that part of the pavement was not shut off, that’s all they needed to do,” she said. “I feel like we have been treated as if we’re not important. But we have to do this for Kieran, it’s our only option.”
Keith Barrett from Fieldfisher, who represents the family, said: “It’s appalling that Michaela’s family are being stalled by everyone involved in this terrible case. They remain completely in the dark almost 4 years later as to how this horrific incident occurred and who is responsible.”
A spokesperson for Higgins Homes confirmed they were continuing to assist officials at the Met and the HSE with their enquiries.
They told the Standard: “Our condolences were expressed to the family shortly after this tragic incident and we would take this opportunity to reiterate those sentiments.”
A HSE spokesperson said: “The Met Police retain primacy for this investigation and HSE has been providing assistance.
“We recognise the desire for the family to have closure following this tragic incident.”
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “We continue to support and have regular contact with the family of Michaela Boor through a dedicated family liaison officer to keep them informed of any progress.”
