Man Dies After Seven-Storey Chimney Fall

A man has died after falling down a seven-storey chimney.

Police say he apparently fell backwards while on the roof of a building in central London.

Officers were called to a property in Great Cumberland Place, Westminster, shortly before 1am on Friday.

The 20-year-old's body was found at the base of the chimney in the basement of a home.

The Metropolitan police said the man is thought to have been sitting on the roof before he fell.

A spokesman said the recovery operation, which involved co-operation between police, the Air Ambulance, the London Ambulance Service and Fire Service, was "difficult and protracted".

Inspector Ian Bond of Westminster Police said: "Our thoughts are with the young man's family at this sad time."

A resident of the building, said she was alerted to what had happened when her dog started crying at 1.30am.

Yuko Owen said she only fully realised what had happened when she left the flat later.

She said the young man who lived in the flats was a student.

She added: "His parents are very wealthy. He's an ordinary boy who seems nice."