Firms fined £1.3m after man killed by window falling from London tower

Two companies have been fined a combined £1.3 million after a coach driver was killed by a window pane that fell from a luxury residential tower in London, following a prosecution over health and safety breaches.

Mick Ferris, 53, was crushed to death when a 130-kilogram window pane fell 26 storeys from the Corniche development in Vauxhall on 2 October 2018. The incident prompted an investigation into the construction and installation standards at the site.

Following that investigation, prosecutors pursued health and safety charges against the firms involved in the building's development and construction. The court proceedings concluded with fines totaling £1.3 million, reflecting the severity of the safety failings identified in connection with Ferris's death.

The case has drawn renewed attention to safety standards for high-rise residential construction in London, particularly regarding the installation and maintenance of glazing on tall buildings. Falling debris incidents, while rare, carry a serious public safety risk given the potential for pedestrians and passersby to be struck without warning.

The outcome is likely to be cited by safety regulators and industry bodies as they continue reviewing standards for glazing installation on high-rise buildings across the UK.