The mother of a 23-year-old who fell five floors to his death when the railing he leaned on came away has warned that the same thing “could’ve happened to anybody”.
Joshua Robbins fell from the communal landing outside his father’s flat in Newton Street, London, after going to see if the pizza they ordered had arrived.
Police were called to Holland and Thurston Dwellings in Holborn just before 8.30pm on 29 January.
Despite the efforts of officers and the London Ambulance Service, Joshua was pronounced dead.
His mother, Fiona Garrett, called it a “catastrophic incident that should never have happened, [it was] completely preventable”.
Ms Garrett, who was not there at the time, said Joshua’s dad was “deeply deeply traumatised” and had a “big dose of survivor’s guilt”.
She told The UK Tonight with Sarah-Jane Mee: “[Joshua] literally went out and put his elbow on to the communal railings by the lift. Just to sort of put his head round and go, ‘oh, it’s for us up here’.
Politics latest: Plan to cut number of jury trials passes Commons hurdle – despite Labour rebellion
Teen’s headache before death in suspected holiday park carbon monoxide poisoning
How AI can identify breast cancer ‘better’ than a doctor but there’s a catch
“He was giving instructions – and the railing just gave way and Josh plunged five floors to his death.”
Ms Garrett said Joshua’s dad raced down the stairs to try to help him after hearing people screaming.
“The paramedics got there really quickly but they said his injuries weren’t ‘compatible with life’. There was nothing they could do,” she said.
No More Falls, a campaign established by Joshua’s family, is calling for mandatory safety standards for high-rise buildings that “have these set-ups, or window boxes, balconies”.
Ms Garrett said her son’s death has “to mean something, he can’t just disappear and have no reason behind it”.
The incident happened in Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s constituency, with Ms Garrett saying she had received a reply from him regarding her son’s death.
“It didn’t seem like a holding letter or just a general, usual reply,” she said, adding that it seemed “really personal and… genuine”.
However, she warned that she didn’t need “platitudes… I need someone to actually grasp this”.
“I want people to actually understand that this isn’t going to go away, I don’t want to hear ‘lessons learnt,’ I don’t want to be palmed off with nonsense, I want to see actual action.
“That’s the least I deserve; our family deserves that. Joshua’s life mattered, so his death matters even more.”
Pippa Fleetwood-Read, chief executive at Islington and Shoreditch Housing Association (ISHA), which manages the site, gave Sky News the following statement:
“Joshua’s tragic death at the end of January has been deeply distressing for everyone who knew him. We know his death has had a profound effect on his parents, family, friends and neighbours – and we offer our heartfelt and sincerest condolences to them at this incredibly difficult time.
“We are doing everything we can to support everyone living at Holland and Thurstan Dwellings, including offering counselling support, having a daily on-site presence, including a dedicated officer visiting twice weekly to listen directly to any concerns they may have. We are keeping the residents informed by sending a weekly written update.”
Ms Fleetwood-Read said: “We’re not able to comment further while the police investigation is ongoing.”
Read more from Sky News:
Man arrested after young father shot dead in his home
Alleged Syrian war criminal named
Be the first to get Breaking News
Install the Sky News app for free
The Metropolitan Police explained that the investigation remains in the early stages and investigators are liaising with expert witnesses, including a forensic structural engineer, and conducting interviews with witnesses and residents.
The force added: “These enquiries can take some time, given the nature of the investigation and complexities.
“The coroner has been notified, and a full coroner’s report will be completed at the end of the police investigation.
“Joshua’s family continue to be updated as the investigation continues and remains supported by specialist officers.
“They have asked that their privacy be respected at this difficult time.”
