A six-year-old boy has died after falling from an apartment block in East London this morning.

Police had been called to Jacobs House, a high-rise block of flats on New City Road in Plaistow, just prior to 6am today, May 16, to reports a child had fallen from a height.

A family member had arrived at Jacobs House to comfort his "devastated" relatives, the Evening Standard reported.

He said: "They are very sad, devastated - they are in a bad way. The dad is in Canada, the mum is here. How can this have happened?"

While a neighbour added: "I spoke to the mum a few weeks ago, and I saw her with her son in the lift with her boy - he was lovely... Today, she could barely speak."

Another resident, a 28-year-old mother-of-two, said: "We are in utter shock - we know the family. The parents are at the hospital - other family members are in the flat.

"Apparently, the boy was up early and then fell from the window... It was an accident, but no one knows how it happened. People are looking for answers."

Newham Council said: "We are deeply sorry to hear about this devastating incident, we extend our sincere condolences to all those affected.

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"We have staff at the location to provide reassurance to residents at this difficult time while we work with partners to establish the full facts."

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "Police were called at 5.58am on Thursday to reports of a child having fallen from height at New City Road, E13.

"Officers, London Fire Brigade, London Ambulance Service and London's Air Ambulance attended.

"At the scene, a six-year-old boy had fallen from an upper floor of an apartment block. Despite the efforts of emergency services, he sadly died at the scene.

"His family are aware and are being supported. The death is being treated as unexpected and inquiries are under way to establish the full circumstances.

"Our thoughts are with the child's family at this time. There were no arrests. A scene remains in place."

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We were called at 5.59am today to reports of a person fallen from height on New City Road, Plaistow.

"We sent resources to the scene, including ambulance crews, a paramedic in a fast response car and an incident response officer. We also dispatched a trauma team in a car from London's Air Ambulance.

"Our first paramedics arrived on scene in approximately four minutes. Very sadly, a child was pronounced dead at the scene."