A man plunged 100ft to his death from the rooftop bar of a luxury hotel in the heart of the Square Mile.
The man in his 40s fell from the Double Tree by Hilton, near the Tower of London, shortly before 5pm yesterday.
Balazs Szeljak, 35, a shift manager at the nearby Cheshire Cheese pub, said: “A man ran in to say someone had just fallen.
“Some people were screaming. He said he couldn’t help him, there was nothing he could do as he was in such a bad way.
“By the time I got outside the police had already sealed off the area and were telling people to get inside.”
Police ordered customers at other nearby pubs and restaurants inside as paramedics battled to save the victim who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Guests at the Hilton’s 12th-storey SkyLounge bar were led away by staff as a section of the terrace was cordoned off.
A City investment broker who had been drinking at the SkyLounge said: “We were outside on the rooftop bar in a private area when suddenly all these police came up.
“The staff told us they had to cordon off the area. It was pretty packed we were all ushered inside. We didn’t know what was going on.”
City of London Police are not treating the death as suspicious.
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A spokeswoman said: “Police and London Ambulance Service were called at 4.51pm to reports of a man, believed to be in his 40s, that had fallen from a building in Pepys Street.
“He was initially in a serious condition and then pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin are being informed.”
A Hilton spokesman said: “An incident has happened at the hotel and the police are investigating.”
A DoubleTree spokeswoman said: “It is with deep regret that we can confirm the death of a man at the hotel yesterday evening.
"Team Members acted swiftly to alert the authorities and the police and ambulance services were onsite shortly after the incident occurred.
"The police have since confirmed that the death is not being treated suspiciously.
"Safety and security at the hotel are of paramount importance and we continue to make every effort to ensure that all practises are in line with our strict safety and security procedures.”
For confidential support on mental health call the Samaritans on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or attend a local Samaritans branch.
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