Two children die in space of 24 hours after falling from London tower blocks
18-month-old and three-year-old killed in separate incidents
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Two children have died after falling from London tower blocks in separate incidents just 24 hours apart, police officers said.
A three-year-old boy died on 1 November, after falling from a building in Stanley Road, Harrow.
Emergency services were called to the scene at 13.10 and found the child in a critical condition.
“The child....was taken to a north London hospital,” a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said.
“Despite the efforts of emergency services, he died at 14.44.”
No arrests have been made.
The Independent understands the case is not being treated as suspicious and that the block is not owned by the local authority.
“Enquiries into the full circumstances continue,” a police spokesperson added.
The first child, an 18-month-old baby, fell from a 19-storey council block in High Road, Tottenham on 31 October.
Police were called to the scene at 10.51am and found the child in a critical condition.
The toddler, known locally as “Ali”, was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead at 11.39am.
His parents are believed to be Kurdish.
Meral Dervish, 51, a neighbour, said the boy’s mother, 27, called Duygu, had called her in tears after the fall.
She said: “He opened a window, he fell down. The window, it was faulty.”
“He was a very nice boy. The mum was looking after the kids brilliantly, she was caring for her children.”
Zina Etheridge, Haringey council’s chief executive, said: “Our deepest sympathies are with the family at this time.
“We can confirm that the block is managed by Homes for Haringey [a housing-management organisation], who are carrying out a full investigation into the circumstances.
“The police are currently investigating and it would be inappropriate for us to comment further or speculate until more is known about this very sad incident.”
Police officers are treating the Tottenham death as unexplained.
“Formal identification and a post-mortem examination will take place in due course,” a Metropolitan Police spokesperson said.
“Enquiries into the full circumstances continue”
Additional reporting by agencies
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments