A Norfolk crane company has been acquitted on health and safety charges after a crane collapse led to the death of three men at a construction site 

Falcon Tower Crane Services Ltd, based in Shipdham near Dereham, faced a prosecution from the Health and Safety Executive following the crane collapse at a construction site in Crewe in June 2017.

Although the trial at Chester Crown Court was expected to last four weeks, the company was acquitted on November 14, 10 days after the trial began.

The judge directed the jury to return not guilty verdicts because there was insufficient evidence.

As the trial progressed, it was apparent the evidence would not be sufficient to meet a test in the Crown Prosecutor's Code.

After the judge's ruling, a spokesman for Falcon Cranes said it had been "deeply affected by the incident". 

The spokesman said: "The company has done all it can to provide support to the families of those who suffered, with our thoughts remaining with them at all times. 

"Throughout this long investigation, the company has cooperated fully with all authorities. 

"We were extremely disappointed the HSE chose to prosecute the company for what it considered to have been health and safety breaches. 

"We are now satisfied the HSE accepts these charges were not justified. 

"Our thoughts remain with the families of those who have suffered."

The crane collapse, which happened at Dunwoody Way in Crewe on June 21, 2017, killed Rhys Barker from Castleford, David Newall from Bradford and David Webb from Northampton. 

The HSE had initially charged the company with two breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Falcon Cranes denied the charges. 

A spokesman for the HSE said: "This was a long and complex investigation and our thoughts remain with the families of the three men who lost their lives in 2017."