A woman in her 20s has died after falling from the UNCLE building in Elephant and Castle, the same luxury tower block where a couple and their nine-year-old son fell to their deaths in May. The Metropolitan Police is not treating the death as suspicious at this stage.
Paramedics and police were called to Churchyard Row just after 9:30am on Thursday, and the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The London Ambulance Service said it was called at 9:32am to reports of a person falling from height, and sent ambulance crews, paramedics in fast response cars, and an incident response officer.
Residents and staff left shaken
A staff member at the building told Metro: ‘We are all really shaken up she was a nice woman. Staff and residents are being offered support at this difficult time.’ Another worker said: ‘I saw her on the ground. It’s very hard to describe. It was terrible. She was wearing gym clothes. She lived with her husband, no children. I couldn’t sleep, I was so upset.’
An IT worker who lives in the block told Metro: ‘The company who run the building messaged us. I had seen the police outside and I thought the worst may have happened after what happened last time with the family all dying. We are all obviously very upset that this has happened literally on our doorstep again. It’s devastating.’
Police describe death as ‘unexpected’
Police are describing the death as ‘unexpected’. Forensics officers were sent to the scene, and a post-mortem is yet to be carried out. The woman landed near the Southwark Playhouse venue, which is on the ground floor of the block.
Another resident said: ‘There were police, paramedics here. It was a big scene. It was a nice day and lots of people around.’ People in the block have been sent an email about the incident, although the details in the message are thin.
Previous tragedy at the block
In May, a mother, father, and their nine-year-old son plunged to their deaths from the 36th floor of the 45-storey building. The luxury block near Elephant and Castle station has a gym and 24-hour concierge, and upper floors command views over London. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment is around £3,000 a month, rising to £3,600 for a two-bedroom.
A resident said: ‘There is a message group for everyone living here, and it’s all people are talking about. We can’t believe it’s happened again. I didn’t know the woman but my thoughts go out to her family.’
Samaritans are available to listen day or night, 365 days a year, and can be called for free on 116 123, emailed at jo@samaritans.org, or visited at samaritans.org for more information.
