Tragic Incident in London as Young Man Plunges Five Floors to His Death
A devastating accident in London has claimed the life of a 23-year-old man who fell five floors while checking for a pizza delivery, with his parents now calling for a thorough investigation into the safety of the building's railing.
Family's Heartbreaking Account of the Fatal Fall
Joshua Robbins, originally from Claudy in Northern Ireland but living with his father in north London, tragically died on January 29 after falling from the communal landing outside his flat. According to his family, he was leaning over to see if a pizza delivery driver had arrived when the incident occurred.
In a joint statement, his mother Fiona Garrett and father Will Robbins expressed their profound grief, stating they are "absolutely devastated" by the loss. They emphasised that Joshua did not act recklessly, but rather the safety barrier itself failed. "This is not an allegation or speculation. The railing gave way. Our son did not climb it or behave recklessly," they said.
Will Robbins witnessed the immediate aftermath of his son's fall, an experience described as deeply traumatic. The family added, "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."
Concerns Over Balcony Safety and Structural Integrity
The Katie Trust, an organisation supporting the family, expressed shock at the number of balcony-related deaths across London and raised serious concerns about the structural failure. A spokesperson said, "The prospect that a basic structural safety feature in a residential building could collapse so easily is deeply troubling."
Pippa Fleetwood-Read, Chief Executive at Islington & Shoreditch Housing Association (ISHA), which manages the property, offered condolences but noted that full cooperation with the police investigation is underway. "At this early stage it would be inappropriate to comment further until the full facts surrounding the incident have been established," she stated.
Emergency Response and Ongoing Police Investigation
Metropolitan Police were called to Newton Street in WC2 at 20:19 hours on January 29 following reports of a fall from height. Despite the efforts of the London Ambulance Service, the 23-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. A police spokesperson confirmed that the circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation, with next of kin being supported by specialist officers.
Joshua Robbins is remembered by his family as a happy and charismatic young man who loved online gaming and had a smile that lit up every room. His parents described him as kind, funny, and full of charisma, with a passion for supporting local GAA activities in his hometown.
This tragic event has sparked renewed calls for improved safety standards in residential buildings across the capital, as authorities work to determine the exact cause of the railing failure.
