NewsBeat
Man, 23, plunged to his death ‘when the railing he was leaning on broke’ as he looked to see if his pizza had arrived
A 23-YEAR-old man plunged five floors to his death after checking on a pizza delivery order from his flat.
Joshua Robbins was at his central London flat on January 29 when he heard his flat buzzer ring.
Assuming it was a pizza deliver, he leaned over a railing to check and fell to his death after the railing reportedly gave way.
In a joint statement, his devastated parents Fiona Garrett and Mr Robbins Snr said: “Josh fell from a height of five floors and died on impact.
“Josh’s father Will witnessed the immediate aftermath of his son’s fall, something no parent should ever have to see. He is deeply traumatised by what he witnessed.
“This is not an allegation or speculation. The railing gave way. Our son did not climb it or behave recklessly. A safety barrier that was meant to prevent a fall gave way, with catastrophic consequences.”
The incident occurred at the Holland and Thurston Dwellings apartment block in Holborn London.
Joshua, originally from Claudy, Co Derry in Northern Ireland, was living with his father at the apartment at the time.
After falling five floors while checking on a pizza deliver, police were called to the residency at 8:91pm following reports of a fall from height.
Despite the best efforts of emergency services, Joshua was pronounced dead.
His next of kin had been informed of his death, who are being supported by specialist officers.
Joshua’s parents said that he loved watching the GAA growing up in Claudy.
“He had a smile that lit up every room and was widely described as kind, funny, and full of charisma, with impeccable manners and an ease with people that made him instantly likeable,” they added.
The family said that they were grateful for the support they got from The Katie Trust, a charity that supports families following sudden, unexplained or traumatic deaths.
Expressing their sadness, the parents said: “Our family is absolutely devastated.
“We have lost our son. We should not be planning a cremation. We should not be waiting for pathology reports. We should not be writing statements like this or trying to navigate trauma and bureaucracy at the same time. Yet here we are.”
The parents have been in contact with the Metropolitan Police and Islington and Shoreditch Housing Association for answers surrounding their son’s death.
Pippa Fleetwood-Read, chief executive at Islington and Shoreditch Housing Association, said: “The death of Joshua Robbins is deeply saddening, and everyone at ISHA sends our sincere condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time.
“We are fully cooperating with the police and their investigation, but at this early stage it would be inappropriate to comment further until the full facts surrounding the incident have been established.”
The Met Police has been approached for comment.
