2 signs collapse in South London within yards of each other

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the first a 4-tonne digital advertising billboard operated by Clear Channel fell from the side of a building during morning rush hour and pinned a woman to the ground.  Witnesses said she was ‘lucky to be alive’. She was taken to St George’s Hospital in Tooting where, it was reported, she was treated for hip and leg injuries.Fallen Sign - London - 12th May 2015 - BSGA

Later the same day a fascia sign installed above a stationer’s shop just yards away, crashed to the ground narrowly missing two pedestrians.

In the first incident, the digital billboard has only been installed on the wall above a charity shop for a couple of days and had replaced a wooden hoarding which had been in place for some years.  Owners Clear Channel have launched an investigation into the accident and are also carrying out checks on 39 other sites in the UK.

Local councillors in Tooting called for safety checks on signs and billboards throughout the area following the second accident.

David Catanach, Director of the BSGA, said that the two accidents in Tooting were the latest in a spate of incidents involving signs.  “It is not for us to speculate about the causes of these accidents – the statutory authorities will determine the causes.

“ However, both incidents highlight once again the vital role sign makers and installers have  in protecting the public and the BSGA will continue to campaign for the highest standards in sign design, fabrication, installation and maintenance.”

“Our thoughts are with the lady who was injured and we wish her a speedy recovery,” he added.

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3077896/Woman-crushed-metal-advertising-billboard-fell-building-morning-rush-hour.html

http://www.wandsworthguardian.co.uk/news/12946041.What_is_happening_in_Tooting__ANOTHER_sign_crashes_onto_street_just_yards_from_today_s_billboard_collapse/

Fallen Sign - London - 12th May 2015 2- BSGA