A man has died after falling from a 15-storey tower block in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, with neighbors reporting they heard a significant scream and a crash. Emergency services were called to Grampian Tower on Salisbury Avenue shortly after 6 a.m. on Friday following initial reports of a disturbance. A subsequent call raised concerns for a man found deceased outside the building.
Police, paramedics, and forensic officers responded to the scene, cordoning off the area. Residents were observed gathering outside the cordon as detectives began their investigation, which includes gathering statements from witnesses, conducting door-to-door inquiries, and reviewing CCTV footage. Authorities are particularly interested in obtaining footage from within and around Grampian Tower between midnight and 7 a.m. on Friday.
One resident, Jaime Hughes, described being woken by a loud bang and a thump, noting that a window appeared to be smashed. Leanne Richardson, who is 28 weeks pregnant, told the Southend Echo that she was left "shell-shocked" by the incident and had to visit her doctor. "A sleeping bag was covering the body. It's bad and not nice at all," Hughes added, expressing a desire to no longer live in the building.
Essex Police have launched an investigation into the man's "unexpected" death. No arrests have been made as of Friday. The Grampian Tower is one of three blocks on the Balmoral estate, which together comprise 231 homes.