On Thursday morning, a six-year-old kid lost his life after falling more than 150 feet from an east London tower building.
Just before six in the morning, the childâknown by his community as Alam Makialâfell out of a window on the fifteenth story of Jacobs House on New City Road in Plaistow.
Despite the arrival of police, paramedics, and an air ambulance in Newham, he was unable to be saved.
A family member arrived at the block to comfort his âdevastatedâ relatives.
He said: âThey are very sad. Devastated. They are in a bad way. How can this have happened?â
The boyâs aunt, Maryan Hadafow, said her nephew had died after getting up early for school and fell out of the window while the family were sleeping.
She added: âHe was an Arsenal fan, a lovely boy.â
The aunt claimed that the boyâs mother had complained five times via email about unsafe doors and windows.
She added: âHow many times she complained this is not safe for my kids, and no-one did anything.âA neighbour said: âI spoke to the mum a few weeks ago and I saw her with her son in the lift with her boy, he was lovely. Today she could barely speak.âDistraught residents of the 16-storey building are demanding answers about the tragedy could have happened.
JJ Armstrong, 33, a father of two girls, saw a distraught man circling the body and screaming âmy boy, my boy, heâs deadâ.
He said: âI heard something outside. I looked down and saw a man standing over a child screaming âmy boy, my boy, my boy is deadâ repeatedly. He was distraught and walking in circles it was terrible to see. People looked out to see him there it was terrible.
âI couldnât go down there it was too awful. A paramedic arrived to help the boy but when she realised that he was dead she looked very upset. She had been trying to talk to him but realised he was gone.
âA police officer talked to her because she looked very emotional.â
He added: âWe all want a full investigation into what happened. Whether there was a problem with the window or whatever we need to know.
âI canât get the image of that poor boy laying there lifeless circled by the grieving man.âA mother-of-two, 28, said: âWe are in utter shock.
âWe know the family. The parents are at the hospital. Other family members are in the flat.
âApparently, the boy was up early and then fell from the window.
âIt was an accident but no one knows how it happened. People are looking for answers.â
Luka Tunjic, 65, who lives in the building, said: âI 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. Iâm so sorry for my neighbours itâs a tragedy.â
Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, Mayor of Newham, added: âI am heartbroken following the tragic incident in Plaistow this morning.
âMy thoughts and prayers are with the family and all those affected.
âI am being kept updated by council officers, and we have a team on site to support the police and provide reassurance to residents during this devastating time.â
The headteacher of New City primary school, where the boy attended, and staff laid flowers on a bench at the scene on Thursday afternoon.A Metropolitan Police spokesman said âWe were called at 5.58am on Thursday, May 16 to reports of a child having fallen from height at New City Road, E13.
âOfficers, London Fire Brigade, London Ambulance Service and Londonâs Air Ambulance attended.
âAt the scene a six-year-old boy had fallen from an upper floor of an apartment block.
âDespite the efforts of emergency services he sadly died at the scene. His family are aware and are being supported.
âThe death is being treated as unexpected and enquiries are underway to establish the full circumstances.
âOur thoughts are with the childâs family at this time.
âThere were no arrests. A scene remains in place.â
A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: âWe were called at 5.59am today to reports of a person fallen from height on New City Road, Plaistow.
âWe 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 Londonâs Air Ambulance.
âOur first paramedics arrived on scene in approximately four minutes.
âVery sadly, a child was pronounced dead at the scene.â
Newham Council said: âWe are deeply sorry to hear about this devastating incident, we extend our sincere condolences to all those affected.
âWe have staff at the location to provide reassurance to residents at this difficult time while we work with partners to establish the full facts.â