THE FAMILY of a grandmother-of-six who was crushed to death in a lift on a Redbridge housing estate last year - are still waiting for answers as they prepare to mark her first birthday since the tragedy.

Christine Allen, 50, died of head injuries during the accident in a tower block on the Orchard Estate in Woodford Green in August, but an investigation into her death by the police and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is still ongoing nine months later.

Her daughter, Laura Dawkins, 26, who lived on the estate at the time of the accident, said the family will not find any closure until the probe is completed and a full explanation of what went wrong is revealed.

The mum-of-three, who has since moved away from the area, said she did not expect the investigation to take so long - and hopes it will be completed in time for her mother's birthday on June 1.

She said: "There's been no closure with this still going on.

"The pain might be eased a bit if we got some answers about what happened.

"Christmas without her was hard for all of us. It's going to be sad when her birthday comes around in June.

"I hope they finish the investigation in time for mum's birthday.

"It seems like we've been waiting a long time for this now."

The lift, in Lambourne Court, was repaired and put back into use by Redbridge Homes - which maintains the Orchard Estate - in March.

Ms Dawkins said: "The police are in touch quite regularly now, but they've said the investigation is still ongoing.

"We've been supporting eachother since mum died.

"I just want to know what went wrong."

A police spokeswoman said: "An investigation is currently ongoing by the Met Police and the Health and Safety Executive.

"This is a thorough and complex investigation involving a number of strands of enquiry.

"The nature of these enquiries dictate the time frame we work to.

"A final report carried out by the HSE is expected to be submitted to police shortly. This report will then be forwarded to the coroner.

"We continue to update the victim's daughter regarding the investigation. A family liaison officer is assigned to the family to provide added support."