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Pedestrian killed after ‘glass windowpane falls 250ft from top floor of London tower block’

Investigation launched after victim dies on Albert Embankment

Tom Batchelor
Tuesday 02 October 2018 12:46 EDT
Emergency services on scene after man killed by falling flat window

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A man has died after reportedly being hit by a windowpane that fell around 250ft from the top of a block of flats in central London.

Police said officers were called by London Ambulance Service at around 10.40am on Tuesday to reports of an injured man in Albert Embankment.

An image taken from The Corniche on the south bank of the River Thames by a resident showed a large window unit, complete with metal frame containing glass, on top of a male figure.

A missing window on the top floor of The Corniche, a luxury block of flats
A missing window on the top floor of The Corniche, a luxury block of flats (PA)

The body, lying in the road outside the property and covered by a sheet, was surrounded by wooden pallets and emergency services surveying the scene.

A workman told the Evening Standard a “glass panel fell from the penthouse and hit a man who was walking under it”.

An image showed a window missing from near the top of the 27-storey tower.

A Met Police spokesperson said: “The man was pronounced dead at the scene. Inquiries are under way to trace his next-of-kin.

“At this early stage in the investigation, it is believed he was hit by something falling from a building.”

The Health and Safety Executive has been informed.

Scotland Yard said officers were called by the London Ambulance Service at around 10.40am
Scotland Yard said officers were called by the London Ambulance Service at around 10.40am (PA)
A sheet covers a body outside The Corniche
A sheet covers a body outside The Corniche (PA)

London Ambulance Service confirmed it was called to the incident, and dispatched two motorcycle responders, a car and an ambulance.

“Sadly, a person was dead at the scene,” the spokesman said.

Property developer St James said it was investigating the incident at its Corniche building.

A spokesman said: “It is with great sadness that we learnt of an incident at our Corniche development on Albert Embankment this morning, in which a man suffered fatal injuries.

“We extend our deepest sympathies to his family at this incredibly difficult time.

“We are investigating this incident as a matter of urgency and working with the emergency services to establish what happened.”

Additional reporting by PA

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