Tourist killed after falling from the dome inside St Paul’s

A TOURIST has died after falling more than 100 feet from inside the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral.

The woman fell from the Whispering Gallery to the cathedral floor as visitors watched yesterday.

The incident, which is not being treated as suspicious by police, happened at 10.30am. First aiders tried in vain to save the woman as they waited for paramedics to arrive.

The Whispering Gallery has metal railings around its narrow walkway to protect the public. The walkway is at the base of the dome, which then rises a further 180ft.

In a statement St Paul’s said: “The cathedral is deeply saddened at the death of a visitor on the morning of Oct 11.

“Although robust procedures for emergency situations are in place, and today’s response bore that out, it does not lessen the shock we feel as a community, especially for those who witnessed and responded to this incident. We hold also in our thoughts those visitors within the cathedral at the time.

“We think and pray especially at this time for the woman who died, and for all those who were close to her and who loved and cared for her.”

The cathedral closed for the day following the incident and cancelled the Annual National Service for Seafarers, which was due to be held at 5pm.

The Cathedral is due to reopen at 7.30am today.

A spokesman for the City of London Police added: “St Paul’s Cathedral is currently closed and is due to remain closed after a woman fell inside the building and died.

“Officers are working to establish the circumstances around the incident and inform the woman’s family.”