Boy, 5, who fell 150ft to his death ‘opened window by pressing just 1 button’ as council faces questions over ‘danger’
A FIVE-year-old boy who fell 150ft to his death had opened a flat window by pressing just one button as his parents slept, his aunt has claimed.
Little Alam Makial plunged from the kitchen window of his home on the 15th floor of Jacobs House, Plaistow, east London at 6am yesterday.
Witnesses described seeing his father Makial crying over him and screaming: “My boy, my boy.”
The boy’s auntie, Maryan Hadafow, said the Arsenal-mad footie fan had opened the kitchen window after waking up early for school, while his father and mum Sophie slept.
Accompanied by Alam’s grandmother, Maryan said at the scene: “He went in the kitchen and opened the window. He got up early to go to school. He was a lovely boy.”
Alam fell from a window which can be opened to its full extension by pressing a button on the inside.
Maryan added: “His mother has complained to Newham Council about that window.
“She sent five emails about how they open, and said they were not safe for her kids, but no one did anything.”
The family’s neighbours in the block have also had fears about the windows in the past.
Luka Tunjic, 65, said the windows “scared” him when his kid was young because of how “dangerous” they are.
He said: “I was very scared of the windows when my child was young.
“I always locked them as it can be so dangerous. I live on the tenth floor.
“I’m so sorry for my neighbours it’s a tragedy.”
Neighbours in the tower block were horrified by the broad daylight tragedy and flowers have since been laid at the scene.
One tribute said: “To the family, you are in our thoughts. May he shine brightly in your hearts forever.
“Loves from all of us.”
‘MY BOY, MY BOY’
Dad of two JJ Armstrong, 33, saw a distraught man circling the body while shouting: “My boy, my boy, he’s dead”.
JJ, who lives on the 12th floor of the block, told The Sun: “I heard something outside.
“I looked down and saw a man standing over a child screaming ‘my boy, my boy, my boy is dead’ repeatedly.
“He was distraught and walking in circles. It was horrible to see.
“I couldn’t go down there because it was too awful.”
The Met Police said: “We were called at 5.58am on Thursday, May 16 to reports of a child having fallen from height at New City Road, E13.
“Officers, London Fire Brigade, London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance attended.
“At the scene a five-year-old boy had fallen from an upper floor of an apartment block.
“Despite the efforts of emergency services he sadly died at the scene. His family are aware and are being supported.
“The death is being treated as unexpected and enquiries are underway to establish the full circumstances.”
A Newham Council spokeswoman said: “The council is continuing to establish the facts regarding this tragic incident. Until we have further information we’re unable to make any further comment.
“Our priority is to support the family at this devastating time.