Motorists faced rush-hour chaos in Birmingham last night after scaffolding fell 39 storeys from a new tower block, narrowly missing workers and passing vehicles.
No one was hurt when the scaffolding fell 130 metres (429ft) from the top floor of Beetham Tower, on Holloway Circus, and smashed into hoardings below.
Developers Laing O'Rourke and the Health and Safety Executive are investigating the incident.
A Laing O'Rourke spokesman said: "The circumstances of the incident at the Holloway Circus site in Birmingham are being assessed."
Police, fire and ambulance crews were all called to the scene at about 3.30pm and nearby offices, including Scala House, were evacuated.
Suffolk Street, Bristol Street and Smallbrook Queensway leading to New Street Station were shut for more than two hours, causing long delays during the evening rush-hour.
Once completed, Beetham Tower will be the city's tallest residential building, and will boast a five-star Radisson SAS hotel, luxury apartments, and Europe's highest penthouse flats.
The tinted glass tower, designed by Ian Simpson Architects, was originally intended to be 44 storeys high and 192m (630ft) to the tip.
A crash between a car and a bus near Five Ways island in Edgbaston later added to the city's gridlock.
The vehicles collided on Broad Street, on the approach to Five Ways roundabout, at about 7.10pm and the accident brought nearby traffic to a standstill for several hours.
The island was quickly closed and several passengers had to be cut free.
