The parents of a five-year-old boy who died after falling from a compromised 15th-floor tower block window have spoken of their hope that other families can be spared the "devastation" they have faced.
Aalim Ahmed died instantly when he fell from a kitchen window, which could tilt and turn, at Jacobs House in Plaistow, east London, on May 16 2024.
His parents, Makail Ahmed and Sahra Osman, have now responded after a narrative conclusion was delivered at their son's inquest on Monday.
Window concerns raised
Assistant coroner Ian Wade said Aalim possibly leapt in the belief he could fly, and while the window was "compromised", there was "no compelling reason why a landlord should've considered that placing this little boy on the 15th floor was inappropriate".
In a statement, Aalim's parents recalled having no water or electricity when they moved into the top-floor temporary social housing flat and had raised concerns about the windows, which they feared could open too widely with minimal effort.
"We were terrified about what this could mean for Aalim," they said.
Parents' plea for change
The parents added: "Many people struggle when dealing with the council, and we sincerely hope that something can be learned from what has happened to our family.
"No parent should ever have to bury their child. It is not the natural order of life. It is not normal, and it is a pain that no parent should ever have to know.
"We will carry him with us every day – in our hearts, in our memories, and in the little reminders of him that surround us. He will always be loved, always be missed, and always be a part of our family.
"Our only ask now is that no other family has to go through the devastation that we have. We did everything we felt we could to protect our son, and we will always believe that Aalim should still be here."
Inquest details
The coroner had said Aalim, who had autism and no sense of danger, "opened the window and in a naive belief that he could fly or alternatively could come to no harm he leapt from the open window… he died at the scene."
He added: "It wasn't the fact that it was the 15th floor that was significant, what was significant was that the windows had become compromised."
Contrasting accounts about the condition of the windows were heard at the inquest into the boy's death at East London Coroners' Court.
Ms Osman had told the inquest her son's death was "preventable" and blamed Newham Council, saying she had reported safety concerns about the flat on multiple occasions.
An engineer sent by Newham Council to carry out an inspection and look at overhauling the windows and handles said they were functioning when he saw them on December 17 2023.
In contrast, Ms Osman had a list of complaints spanning several months which included her fears the windows were opening too wide and she did not have a key, the court also heard.
Window engineer Charlie Mann said the windows were "all working", including the handles and restrictors, when he tested them in December 2023.
A restrictor is a safety device which is meant to allow the window to open only 50-100mm. He decided the restrictors should be changed to a lockable version rather than one that can be worked by a button. He ordered nine restrictors and contractors came to fix them in January 2024.
Charlie Mann's father, James Mann, who is managing director of ABC Ltd, the firm where the window engineer works, watched videos of police operating the window from which Aalim fell. He said the window appeared to be going into "dual mode", which he said could be caused by "misalignment, misuse or force".
This is a fault which meant the window tilted and turned open at the same time, despite the handle being in only the tilt position.
All the windows were closed before the young family, which also included a toddler son and a newborn girl, went to bed. Aalim could have been climbing to get a biscuit from a cupboard.
In court, Ms Osman denied any suggestion she may have "forced" the window open to cope in hot weather.
In their statement, the parents said "everything we did was about protecting" their son and "keeping Aalim safe occupied our world."
A post-mortem examination found Aalim died from "multiple injuries due to or as a consequence of trauma" from a "fall from height".
Council response
After Monday's hearing, John Gray, cabinet member for housing at Newham Council, said: "This was a tragic accident which resulted in the heartbreaking death of a young five-year-old child.
"Our thoughts continue to be with Aalim's family and friends during this incredibly difficult time.
"We are grateful to the coroner Ian Wade KC for his thorough and fair hearing of the facts of this case, which have at times been very difficult to hear and revisit."
Newham Council has been contacted for further comment.
