Coroner rules death of toddler who fell from Leeds high-rise accidental
Wakefield Coroner's Court heard the boy's mother had complained to Leeds City Council "many times" about the windows being unsafe
Last updated 6th Dec 2023
The death of a little boy who fell from the window of a seventh floor flat in Leeds has been ruled accidental by a coroner.
Exodus Eyob, who was almost two, fell from a high-rise tower in Saville Green, Leeds, after going into his older sister's bedroom and climbing on to her bed, which was under the window.
The inquest heard his mother tried to complain to the council "many times" about the windows being unsafe.
The rotating window had a restrictor fitted to stop it from opening more than a few inches, but this was not engaged when Exodus fell to his death on July 2 2022, an inquest at Wakefield Coroner's Court was told.
The corner said the window was legally compliant and in full working order, and because the restrictor was not engaged, it was open wide enough for a child to fall out.
Exodus's sister Reem paid tribute to her brother outside Wakefield Coroner's Court, saying: "Exodus was the cutest most adorable child with a contagious laugh and a strong curiosity of the world around him he loved to sit in a corner and pretend to read books he also loved climbing on any furniture that was around him."
She also called for permanent window restrictors to be fitted to all high rise tower blocks housing children or people with disabilities.
Councillor Jess Lennox, Leeds City Council’s executive member for housing, said: “First and foremost, our thoughts today are with Exodus’s family. They have suffered a truly tragic loss and we’d like to offer them our deep and sincere condolences.
“We note the comments made by the coroner at the conclusion of the inquest, and will be considering them carefully.
“We in particular note the coroner’s comments on the importance of education and awareness with regard to window safety and the proper use of restrictors and, to this end, we will continue our ongoing work to communicate the correct advice to all residents in our high-rise buildings.
“The safety and wellbeing of everyone in Leeds is of paramount importance to the council and its dedicated teams operating across all services, including housing.”