A mother, father, and their terminally ill nine-year-old son plunged to their deaths from a luxury apartment block in south London, in what authorities suspect was a suicide.
Incident Details
Aditi, Rakesh, and their son Sid had been living on the 36th floor of the 45-storey UNCLE tower in Elephant and Castle. Emergency services were called to Churchyard Row on the morning of May 27 after reports that a family had fallen from height. Despite the efforts of paramedics and police who performed CPR, all three were pronounced dead at the scene.
Community Response
Neil Coyle, MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark, contacted residents the following day. He confirmed that police are not seeking anyone else in connection with the deaths. In a letter to constituents, Mr Coyle said: "Sadly, on Wednesday, May 27, in the early morning, police and the London Ambulance Service were called to Churchyard Row after an awful incident involving a family falling multiple stories from the UNCLE building. This terrible tragedy saw a child, woman, and man discovered with major trauma and despite the best efforts of officers and paramedics who conducted CPR, all three individuals were pronounced dead on site."
He added: "I am so sorry that this awful occurrence has happened by your home. The tragic circumstances are not fully known yet, but the police believe it was suicide and are not seeking anyone else at this point (although investigations are ongoing). I cannot imagine what situation would lead a family to this terrifying incident, but my thoughts are with their family and loved ones, as well as to their friends and all who knew them locally."
Witness Accounts
A local resident described the scene as "like a horror scene… there were just police and ambulances everywhere." They said the community is "devastated" and a letter was sent to residents about the incident. "We are just saddened by the whole situation," they said.
Police Investigation
A Met Police spokesperson said: "Met detectives are investigating after three people died following a fall from height on Wednesday, 27 May. At 7.29am officers, the London Ambulance Service, London’s Air Ambulance, and the London Fire Brigade attended a high-rise block of flats on Churchyard Row, Elephant and Castle, following reports that people had fallen from height."
"At the scene, three people - a man, a woman, and a child - were found to have sadly died, despite resuscitation attempts by first responders. Their deaths are currently being treated as unexpected. There were no other reported injuries."
"Work is underway to formally identify those who died. Their next-of-kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers. Detectives are urging any witnesses or anyone with information to come forward by calling 101, quoting CAD 1613/27MAY."
