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Two die in flats fall

 

Dave Higgens
Wednesday 31 August 2011 15:04 BST
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Two people have died after falling from a tower block.

West Yorkshire Police confirmed a man and a woman, thought to be in their 20s, died at Clyde Court flats, in the Wortley area of Leeds.

The incident happened at about 4am today.

A police spokesman confirmed the 20-year-old woman and 23-year-old man fell shortly after officers entered the flat where they were.

He said the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) had been informed because of the involvement of the officers immediately before the deaths.

The spokesman said: "At 4.08am today, police received a call from a flat in Clyde Court, Leeds, that made them concerned for the welfare of the two occupants.

"A short time later, officers entered the property and a 20-year-old woman and a 23-year-old man fell from two windows to the ground below.

"Attempts were made to resuscitate them but they were both pronounced dead at the scene.

"The circumstances surrounding their deaths are being investigated. However, the deaths are not being treated as suspicious.

"Due to there having been police involvement immediately prior to the deaths, the force's professional standards department has been informed, as has the Independent Police Complaints Commission."

Witnesses said they fell from the 12th floor of the 16 storey block.

Second floor resident Jason Small said he saw the man and woman hit the ground under his window.

Mr Small described how he had been woken up by a disturbance.

"I just heard some screaming and carrying on," he said.

"It woke me up and I've gone to window.

"It all went quiet then I heard some more carrying-on.

"As I looked over towards my mates I've heard a scream and then two bodies landing on the floor.

"It was horrible."

Mr Small said the man clearly died instantly but police and paramedics treated the woman at the scene for about 20 minutes.

"I've seen them about but I don't know them," he said.

"They don't deserve that. They don't deserve to go like that.

PA

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