City worker in death plunge inside London stock exchange
A CITY worker fell to his death from the seventh floor of the London Stock Exchange yesterday.
The employee is believed to have climbed over a barrier on an internal glass walkway and plunged to the ground in the lobby.
A fellow trader said: ‘When he hit the floor it was terrifying, it sounded like a shotgun going off.’
The financier was believed to have been working on the first floor before heading up to the seventh floor shortly before 9.45am.
Several of the man’s devastated colleagues were then sent home shortly afterwards.
Another broker said: ‘I came in this morning and there was a screen up in the reception lobby area and ambulances and police.’
He added: ‘There was an internal memo saying there had been an incident and then we have found out that a man has jumped from the seventh floor.
‘The building has walkways on each floor and near the lifts there is a gap and you can see all the way up and down. Apparently he jumped from there.’
The worker was said to be middleaged, married and based in London. A London Stock Exchange Group spokesman said: ‘We can confirm an incident this morning where a London Stock Exchange Group colleague fell from an upper floor balcony and died.
‘The emergency services were called immediately and are dealing with the incident. We will continue to offer them every support and co-operation possible.
‘Our thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends of our dear colleague.’
The City of London Police said that it was investigating the circumstances, but the death was not being treated as suspicious. ÷ For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116123, visit a local branch or go to samaritans.org.