The family who fell to their deaths from a luxury block of flats in Elephant and Castle were ‘struggling’ with their son’s terminal health condition, sources have claimed.
Rakesh Pai, 47, Aditi Paralkar, 46, and their son, Sid, all fell 400ft from the balcony of their 36th-floor apartment in the UNCLE tower block in south London on the morning of May 27.
Emergency services were called to the building following reports that three people had fallen from a height. All three were pronounced dead at the scene.
Mr Pai and Ms Paralkar were high-earning consultants who had reportedly moved to the UK from India in the early 2000s, where they had no family.
It is understood Sid, who was born in the UK, had been diagnosed with a condition which left him partially disabled with special educational needs.
He also suffered from kidney disease and was unable to speak, meaning he had to be homeschooled – predominantly by Ms Paralkar.
Friends of the couple told the Daily Mail the mum suffered from depression and other mental health issues as a result of her son’s ill health.
Some reports suggest the incident took place after Sid was discharged from hospital and refused specialist medical care.
The family moved back to India for around six years, their friends claim, hoping they would be able to access the specialist care their son needed there and lean on the friends and family Ms Paralkar still had in her native Mumbai.
But after doctors were unable to help him, the couple moved back to the UK.
A friend said: ‘It was a huge stress for both of them, but Adi (Paralkar) in particular struggled to cope with what was going on. She had no family in the UK and also did a very demanding job, so it was very difficult for her to manage everything.
‘It took a huge toll on her mental health, and I think it may have just got too much for her. They were a wonderful family, and we are all very shocked by what’s happened.’
The couple had only lived in Elephant and Castle for a short time and previously owned and lived in a flat in Clapham, south London.
The circumstances surrounding their deaths are yet to be established and will be determined in an inquest.
On the day of the incident, a resident who lives at the top of the building and did not want to give her name, said she heard ‘shouting and screaming’ consistently for two weeks prior to the incident.
Bermondsey and Old Southwark MP Neil Coyle wrote in a letter to residents of the tower block: ‘Sadly, on Wednesday, May 27, in the early morning, police and the London Ambulance Service were called to Churchyard Row after an awful incident involving a family falling multiple stories from the UNCLE building.
‘This terrible tragedy saw a child, woman and man discovered with major trauma and despite the best efforts of officers and paramedics who conducted CPR, all three individuals were pronounced dead on site.
‘I am so sorry that this awful occurrence has happened by your home. The tragic circumstances are not fully known yet, but the police believe it was suicide and are not seeking anyone else at this point (although investigations are ongoing).
‘I cannot imagine what situation would lead a family to this terrifying incident, but my thoughts are with their family and loved ones, as well as (with) their friends and all who knew them locally.’
The Metropolitan Police said the deaths were being treated as ‘unexpected’.
A spokesperson said: ‘Detectives are investigating after three people died following a fall from height on Wednesday.
‘At 7.29am officers, the London Ambulance Service, London’s Air Ambulance and the London Fire Brigade attended a high-rise block of flats on Churchyard Row, Elephant and Castle, following reports that people had fallen from height.
‘At the scene, three people – a man, a woman and a child – were found to have sadly died, despite resuscitation attempts by first responders.
‘Their deaths are currently being treated as unexpected. There were no other reported injuries. Work is underway to formally identify those who died.
‘Their next-of-kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.’
The incident has been referred to Southwark Coroners Court.
For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email [email protected], visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
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