Horrifying moment falling crane almost crushes Wigan schoolgirl as she plays outside her home with family then moved into emergency accommodation

This is the shocking moment a huge crane almost crushed a schoolgirl to death as she played outside her home.

The incident happened at a property in Atherton, Wigan, Greater Manchester, yesterday at around 10.30am.

Ring doorbell footage shows the girl on her tricycle in her family's front garden.

Suddenly, a crane perched on the back of a lorry topples over, smashing into the front of the property and narrowly avoiding the youngster.

Witnesses said the crane 'sliced through' the house and an operation was launched to remove the machine, which became embedded in the building.

Photos of the carnage show part of the roof and front wall destroyed and at least one room on the top floor of the terraced house was completely destroyed by the crash.

The accident also caused a fire to break out and firefighters worked to isolate gas and electricity to the property and clear a fuel spill from the road.

The family have been put in emergency accommodation but they do not know when they can return.

According to the Manchester Evening News, the lorry supporting the crane overturned on the road as it attempted to remove a green container from a playing field.

Fortunately, there were no reported injuries from the incident.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire Rescue Service said: 'At around 10:30am today (Saturday April 6), firefighters were called to reports of a crane that had fallen through the side of a residential property in Atherton, Wigan.

'One fire engine from Atherton fire station quickly arrived at the scene, where a lorry carrying the crane had overturned in the roadway.

'Greater Manchester Police established a cordon on the street, while firefighters worked to isolate the gas and electricity to the property and clear spilled fuel from the roadway.

'The scene has now been left with GMP and the crane operating company to arrange recovery of the crane.

'The occupants are being supported by the local authority to find temporary accommodation.'

There is no confirmation so far about what caused the incident.

However, it comes as Storm Kathleen saw high winds across parts of the country.

Wind gusts were around 40mph on Saturday in Greater Manchester while areas nearer the coast experienced wind speeds of 70mph.

Wigan Council said it is helping the occupants of the house to find temporary accommodation.

Greater Manchester Police said in a statement: 'Officers are working, alongside emergency services to investigate and clean up an incident involving a crane colliding with a residential building.

'Thankfully, no injuries have been reported, and enquiries are ongoing to find out how this happened.

'A scene is expected to remain in place until later today and we ask members of the public to please avoid the area.

'We would like to thank you for your patience while we respond to this incident.'