Boy, 5, dies after falling from east London residential tower block

Child is treated by paramedics at the scene but pronounced dead after falling from a height

The incident is thought to have taken place at Jacobs House in Plaistow (PA)

A five-year-old boy has died after falling from an upper floor in a high-rise block of flats in east London.

Emergency services were called to reports of a child falling at a property on New City Road, Plaistow, just before 6am on Thursday.

Crew from the London Ambulance Service, including a trauma team dispatched from the air ambulance team, fire crew and police attended.

The child was found and treated by paramedics but was pronounced dead at the scene, where a police cordon remained in place.

His family are aware of his death and are being supported by specialist officers.

A neighbour who called the emergency services said the boy’s father was inconsolable.

Ansert Davis, who lives in Jacobs House, said he saw the boy’s father after the tragic incident.

“He’s rolling on the floor, saying ‘my son’. I just ran down and tried to speak to the dad but he’s inconsolable,” he said.

Mr Davis said the boy’s mother was “distraught”.

He saw another neighbour run out to try and help.

“She came running around, took one look at the child and turned back shaking.”

Visibly emotional, he added: “I keep seeing the image in my head. It’s so sad, I’ve got a grandkid about this age. Oh my God, it’s like seeing your own kids.”

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Luka Tunjic, 65, who said he lives in the building, said: “I was very scared of the windows when my child was young.

“I always locked them as it can be so dangerous. I live on the tenth floor. I’m so sorry for my neighbours; it’s a tragedy.”

A Newham Council spokesperson said: “We are deeply sorry to hear about this devastating incident, we extend our sincere condolences to all those affected.

A woman places a floral tribute near Jacob House in Plaistow (PA)

“We have staff at the location to provide reassurance to residents at this difficult time while we work with partners to establish the full facts.”

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 5.59am today to reports of a person fallen from height on New City Road, Plaistow.

“We sent resources to the scene, including ambulance crews, a paramedic in a fast response car and an incident response officer. We also dispatched a trauma team in a car from London’s Air Ambulance.

“Our first paramedics arrived on scene in approximately four minutes. Very sadly, a child was pronounced dead at the scene.”

The Metropolitan Police said the child’s death was being treated as “unexpected” and enquiries were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding his fall.

No arrests have been made.

“Our thoughts are with the child’s family at this time,” the police said in a statement.