Family of three dies in 400ft plunge from London luxury apartment block
A mother, father and their terminally ill nine-year-old son tragically died after falling from the 36th floor of an apartment block in south London, in what police believe was a suicide. The incident occurred on May 27 at the 45-storey UNCLE tower block in Elephant and Castle.
Emergency services were called to Churchyard Row in the early morning following reports that three people had fallen from a height. Despite resuscitation attempts by first responders, all three were pronounced dead at the scene. The family have been identified as Aditi, Rakesh, and their son Sid. The couple are believed to have been born in India in 1979, while their child was born in the UK.
Bermondsey and Old Southwark MP Neil Coyle expressed his shock, stating: "It's a terrible tragedy, a family of three. Just awful. Some constituents saw it happen. The suggestion was that the child was born in the UK with severe illnesses, which the police inferred contributed to their horrendous decision." He confirmed that police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths.
In a letter to residents, Mr Coyle wrote: "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."
A local resident described the scene as "like a horror scene" with police and ambulances everywhere, leaving the community devastated. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson confirmed that detectives are investigating the deaths, which are currently being treated as unexpected. Next-of-kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.
Police have urged anyone with information to call 101 quoting CAD 1613/27MAY.
