Penthouse horror: It was second time a windowpane had fallen from tower
TWO carpenters nearly died last year when a window fell from the same luxury block where a man was crushed to death by glass this week, it emerged yesterday.
Coach driver Mick Ferris, 53, was killed when a windowpane tumbled 250ft from a 27th-floor penthouse flat on Tuesday.
Yesterday it was revealed that a window fell from the same development in August last year, narrowly missing two carpenters who were working below.
The incidents at The Corniche in Vauxhall, South London have triggered fears from residents that there could be another death.
A spokesman for property developer St James said last year’s scare occurred during construction after ‘a casement window fell from the upper floor’. No one was hurt and St James launched an investigation, leading to design changes in accordance with expert advice, the spokesman added.
Mr Ferris lived in Medway, Kent, with his wife Rachel, 39. The ‘popular’ driver had been returning to his coach which was parked near the flats when tragedy struck.
Yesterday his son Daniel paid tribute to his father, describing him as his ‘idol’. He said: ‘Heartbroken isn’t the word to describe how myself and the family feel. I love you so much dad and I’ll think about you every day. My lifelong idol. Always in my heart and mind.’
The Corniche is part of a new triple tower development on the south bank of the Thames, described as an ‘exclusive riverside address’ of 252 apartments worth between £2.7million and £6.25million. The penthouse is not occupied.
Yesterday there were concerns from some apartment residents. One said: ‘I live here with my wife. I am a bit scared now. I wonder if it could happen again. My neighbours think the same thing – it is concerning and I want answers.’
A colleague of Mr Ferris at coach company Clarkes of London said the window may have been accidentally pushed from its hinges. The man, who did not wish to be named, said: ‘They’ve had some decorators in giving it some finishing touches. Everyone is saying there were some people working in there when it happened.
‘They opened the window to air it. It was a windy day and the window wasn’t locked so it just flew straight off its hinges.’ A St James worker said two decorators who had been working in the penthouse at the time of the incident had given statements to police.
An expert in modern facade construction said the failure appeared to be due to the window ‘hanging system’. ‘From the images I can see that the window has come clean away from the frame,’ he said.
St James said it was continuing to investigate the incident, adding: ‘We extend our deepest sympathies to Mr Ferris’ family.’
The Corniche was designed by architects Foster and Partners.
The Met Police and the Health and Safety Executive are investigating.