Tributes to crane victims

Barbara Boatman, 68, from Berkshire, said when she heard the news that her 45-year-old son, Steven Boatman, had died, it was like "having a piece ripped out of me".

The mum-of-three said: "He was a fantastic father and he was such a loving uncle. He also used to take my grandson, Jamie, fishing with him. The poor lad is only 14 and you can imagine what he is feeling with all this going on.

"Mums and dads they all love their kids, but a mother is closer to her children. You carry him for nine months and you just don't expect this to happen.

"He never did anybody down. He would do anything for anybody, and I mean anything.

"He bought himself a barge and he was going to retire when he was 50 and go and live on it '“ that was his ambition."

Steven's children, Ben, 19, and Ruth, 18, lived with him in Whitley. They have laid a floral tribute at the scene which simply reads: "Dad. Me and Ruth will always love you and miss you so much. Will think of you always."

Another tribute left at the scene over the weekend says: "Just normal regular working men going to work to provide for family and loved ones. Then this tragic thing happens. Men going to work on a school for disabled children and children with disabilities.

"Why did this happen? My heart goes out to all of those involved. It is just not fair."

The second man killed in the accident has been named as Gary Miles, 37, also from the Reading area.

Mr Miles, from Crowthorne, was described by friends this week as being a "lovely man", who would be missed by all who knew him.

Crowthorne Fire Station Commander Les Howard knew him as both were members of

Crowthorne Motorcycle Club.

Mr Howard said he had been worried when he heard of the accident because he knew Mr Miles was working in the area. But then, he said: "I thought he must have been OK because they said the drivers died and he was a rigger, but about 20 minutes later a friend called to tell me about it.

"It's a dangerous job walking around on top of cranes, but you don't expect for them to collapse like that.

"He was a fantastic person and, of course, it was a massive shock to find out he had gone.

"You tend to know these people but do not realise until they are gone just how popular they are.

"He was a lovely man, a real gentle giant, and he will be greatly missed by all who had

the pleasure of knowing him."

Another friend of Mr Miles, Andy Shepherd, said: "He was a really great bloke: one who was liked by lots and lots of people."

COUNTY Hall spokeswoman Jane Robinson said yesterday (Wednesday) no decision had yet been made about whether a memorial would be placed on the site for the two men who lost their lives.