5-year-old boy dies after falling from block of flats in east London | UK news

Police were called to a report of a child falling from a height in Plaistow at around 6am on Thursday. After a neighbor ran to help, they were said to have “returned trembling” from the scene.

A five-year-old boy has died after falling from a block of flats in east London.

Police said they were called just before 6am to reports of a child falling from a height near Plaistow.

A neighbor who called 911 after the incident said the child’s father was left inconsolable.

Ansert Davis, who lives in Jacob’s House, said he saw the boy’s father after the tragic fall.

“He’s rolling on the floor, saying his son. I just ran and tried to talk to the father, but he’s inconsolable,” he said.

Mr Davis, who had seen the family playing on the swings before, said the boy’s mother was “upset”.

He saw another neighbor running to try to help.

“He came running, took one look at the kid and came back shaking,” he said.

Visibly moved, he added: “I can still see the image in my head. It’s so sad, I have a grandson that age. God, it’s like seeing your own children.”

Another resident of Jacob’s House, who gave his name only as JJ, said the boy lived on the 15th floor.

He said he witnessed a man visit the boy and shout, “No, my son.”

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The resident added: “The paramedic was shaken up.

“The paramedics were here at about 6 in the morning, maybe 6:10. They were here quickly.”

Another resident, who did not give his name, said the boy was an Arsenal supporter. They said, “He’s a nice boy, a really nice boy.”

A Met spokesman said: “At the scene, a five-year-old boy fell from an upper floor of a block of flats.

“Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, he unfortunately died at the scene. His family is aware and is being supported.”

The death is being treated as unexpected and an investigation is underway, officers said.

There were no arrests.

Newham Council sent its condolences to those affected and said staff are at the scene to offer reassurance to residents while authorities work to establish what happened.