Topic overview
In brief
- Mick Ferris was killed by a falling window pane from The Corniche in London on October 2, 2018.
- Developers were found guilty of ignoring safety risks, with a previous incident involving a falling window in 2017.
- The case highlights the need for improved safety standards in the construction industry.
Summary
In October 2018, a tragic incident occurred in London when a window pane fell from the 25th floor of The Corniche, a tower block on the Embankment, resulting in the death of Mick Ferris, a 53-year-old driver for Clarkes of London. The window fell approximately 300 feet at around 10:40 AM while Mr. Ferris was returning to his coach parked on the road opposite the building. The court later revealed that this was not the first incident involving falling windows from the same development, as a similar window panel had fallen in August 2017, yet no substantial design changes were made following that event. This negligence raised serious concerns about the safety measures in place at the construction site and the responsibilities of the involved parties.
During the trial, it was established that several companies, including Foster + Partners, St James Group Ltd, Lindner Prater Ltd, and Wintech Ltd, were on trial for failing to adhere to their duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The prosecution highlighted that the design of the window was inherently unsafe, as it opened outwards and was secured by a single metal restrictor, making it vulnerable to being dislodged by wind. The court heard that construction workers had been instructed not to open the windows, and small warnings were placed next to them, indicating a lack of proper safety protocols.