5-year-old boy dies after falling from 15th floor of east London tower block

A five-year-old boy has died after falling more than 150 meters from a block of flats in Plaistow, east London.

The child fell from a window on the 15th floor of Jacobs House on New City Road on Thursday morning.

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

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “We were called at 5.58am on Thursday 16 May to reports of a child who had fallen from a height on New City Road, E13.

“Officers, London Fire Brigade, London Ambulance Service and London Air Ambulance attended.

“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.”

No arrests have been made and a scene remains in place, police added.

The boy’s death is being treated as unexpected and further inquiries are being made to establish the circumstances.

A resident of the 16-storey tower block, Luka Tunjic, 65, said Evening Standard: “I was very scared of windows when my child was small. I always closed them because it can be so dangerous. I live on the 10th floor. I feel so sorry for my neighbors it’s a tragedy.”

“We are in complete shock,” said the 28-year-old mother of two. “We know the family. The parents are at the hospital. Other family members are in the apartment.”

A resident of Jacob’s House, who gave his name only as JJ, said he saw a man tend to the boy and shout: “No, my son.”

The resident added: “The paramedic was shaken up.

“The paramedics were here around 6.00, maybe 6.10. They got here quickly.”

A London Ambulance Service spokesman said: “We were called at 5.59am today to reports of a person who had fallen from a height on New City Road, Plaistow.

“We sent resources to the scene including ambulance crews, a paramedic in a rapid response car and an incident response officer. We also sent a trauma team in a car from the London Air Ambulance.

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“Our first paramedics were on the scene in about four minutes. Very sadly, a child was pronounced dead at the scene.”

A spokesman for Newham Council said: “We are deeply sorry to hear about this devastating incident, our sincere condolences to all those affected.

“We have staff on site to provide reassurance to residents at this difficult time while we work with partners to establish all the facts.”