UPDATE: Man dies after fall from top floor at Pretoria east mall
Workers at a mall in the east of Pretoria tell of trauma after witnessing the bloody scene after a man fell from the top floor to the ground on Thursday morning.
A 31-year-old man, who sustained critical injuries after he fell from the top floor at a shopping mall in the east of Pretoria on Thursday morning, has died in hospital.
Rekord reported this morning that the man sustained critical injuries when he fell from the top floor of the Menlyn Park Shopping Centre and was taken to a hospital by emergency services.
Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Sello said the man was declared dead at the hospital.
“An inquest docket has been opened for investigation at Brooklyn police station after the death,” he said.
The circumstances surrounding the incident are unknown at this stage.
The white-tiled floors of the entrance to the mall were dotted with a blood-stain trail leading to the spot where the man fell face-first. The incident happened at around 08:00.
Workers at the mall and patrons at a restaurant store who were enjoying an early morning coffee were left traumatised after witnessing the incident.
One worker, who would not be named, said he saw what happened as he was cleaning the floor when he heard frantic screams.
“When I looked up, I saw the man fall and hit the ground. I screamed, I was so shocked.
“I then moved closer to the spot to see how the man was doing. He was badly hurt, his face was full of blood,” he said.
“There were a few people at the time of the incident. About three were sitting and drinking coffee when the man fell just in front of the restaurant.”
He said he heard no noise before the man’s fall and that there was nothing out of the ordinary that happened before the incident.
“I believe he was alone because after he fell we checked and we did not see anyone who might have been with him.
“It is very traumatic; I doubt I will work well today, nor be able to sleep tonight. The three people who were at the restaurant left after seeing that,” he said.
Another worker at the mall said it was not the first time such an incident happened at the mall.
“About three years ago something similar happened. It is a sad thing to see,” he said.
The staff at the mall received trauma counselling after the incident.
Menlyn mall centre general manager Nisha Kemraj said the man was a visitor to the mall.
“An official investigation is underway, and we are fully co-operating with authorities.
“At this time, we can confirm that an unaccompanied male fell from the upper levels of Cavendish Court to the levels below.
“Paramedics were immediately called to the scene. They stabilised the patient on-site before moving him to a nearby hospital.”
She said the management would provide support and assistance to the man’s family.
“Access to the affected areas is currently being limited.”
At about 10:00 the spot where the incident happened was closed off with red and white tape. The staff were cleaning the scene following the police visit.
Shoppers were not allowed to some parts affecting the incident but the mall continued to operate.
ALSO READ: Man critical after falling from top floor of Menlyn mall
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