A man was killed after he was hit by a window pane which fell more than 250ft from a luxury penthouse flat along the River Thames.
The pedestrian is thought to have died instantly when a pane crashed onto the pavement in a newly completely multi-million pound complex on the Albert Embankment.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene after emergency services were called following reports of a man being injured at 10.42am.
An image from the scene appears to show a shattered glass pane behind a police cordon
The heartbreaking incident took place near The Corniche building, a newly designed luxury block of flats in south London
The victim was said to be a passing workman from a nearby construction site, according to one witness.
The pane of glass is said to have fallen 250 feet from a penthouse of The Corniche block of luxury apartments near Vauxhall, south London.
The deceased victim was reportedly walking below when the window pane fell from the 27th floor – where apartments can cost up to £6million.
A workman at the scene said: ‘A glass panel fell from the penthouse and hit a man who was walking under it. It killed him.
‘You can see the hole in the top floor where the window fell out.’
The Corniche is advertised as an ‘exclusive address’ of two, three and four bedroom apartments and penthouses with panoramic views over the Houses of Parliament.
The Berkeley Group development includes two bedroom apartments for £2.7 million with penthouse flats going for up to £6.25 million.
The properties were designed by architect firm Norman + Partners, headed up by Norman Foster.
The victim was said to be passing underneath the newly completed block of flats on the Albert Embankment when the glass pane fell around 250ft
Mr Foster has helped design some of London’s most iconic newly created architectural structures, including the Gherkin and City Hall.
Scotland Yard said officers are trying to trace the man’s family today.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: ‘Police were called by the London Ambulance Service at 10.42am to reports of a man injured in Albert Embankment.
‘The man was pronounced dead at the scene. Enquiries are underway to trace his next of kin.’
He added: ‘At this early stage in the investigation, it is believed he was hit by something falling from a building.
‘Officers remain at the scene. The Health and Safety Executive has been informed. Enquiries continue.’