Family pay tribute to woman who died after fall at St Paul's Cathedral

The family of a woman who died after falling from a gallery within St Paul’s Cathedral have paid tribute to “the most beautiful person in the world”.

Lidia Dragescu, 23, from Romford, Essex, died as a result of the fall on 11 October at the cathedral in London. Her death is not being treated as suspicious.

The cathedral was closed for the day after police were called to the building at 10.30am to reports that someone had fallen from the Whispering Gallery, which runs around the interior of the dome.

In a statement issued by City of London police, her family said: “Our daughter and sister was the most beautiful person in the world. Her heart was pure and kind, a soul from another world.

“She was an outstanding student and a talented figure skater. Beautiful, intelligent and kind. She would always help me, not allowing me to do any difficult chores.

“Her love for us was beyond measure, she was selfless and kind. Everything that she had she shared with us, always putting us first. We love her and will always love her. For Lidia, the world has been a bad place to live in.”

The Whispering Gallery is so called because its acoustics allow whispers to be audible around the dome.

St Paul’s Cathedral on Wednesday said it was “deeply saddened” by the woman’s death.

“Although robust procedures for emergency situations are in place at St Paul’s, and today’s response bore that out, it does not lessen the shock we feel as a close community, especially for those of us who witnessed and responded to this incident,” a spokesperson said.

“We hold also in our thoughts those visitors within the cathedral at the time. We think and pray especially at this time for the woman who died, and for all those who were close to her and who loved and cared for her.”

In the UK the Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is on 13 11 14. Other international suicide helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org.