The support cables on the back of a crane that size would be at least 20mm steel cable. I dont see the helicopter "cutting them". That lattice structure on the other hand is only designed to take forces straight down. It would make more sense that he contacted the area on the black box on the photos.
In the US white lights are supposed to be used in rural areas on towers over 500' but red lights are used in urban areas due to "light pollution" concerns. Is it the same in the UK?