Joshua Robbins, 23, died after falling from the fifth floor of a London apartment block
Joshua Robbins
The parents of a Co Derry man who died after falling from a London apartment block have called for answers as they raise concerns about safety failures at the property.
Joshua Robbins from Claudy died suddenly on Thursday, January 29, at Thurston Dwellings on Newton Street in the city, breaking the hearts of his family and friends. He has been described as a “happy, go lucky young man” who had a love for life.
It has been alleged that the 23-year-old fell from the fifth floor of the apartment block after a “railing gave way” as he looked over a ledge to see if a pizza delivery had arrived.
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Joshua’s heartbroken parents, Fiona Garrett and Will Robbins, have issued a statement in the wake of the young man’s death saying that they are devastated by his loss and that they will be seeking “truth and accountability” into the alleged safety failings at the apartments.
They said: “Josh lived at Thurston Dwellings on Newton Street in London WC2. Originally from Claudy, a village outside Derry in Northern Ireland. Josh moved to London as a young man to seek opportunity, sharing a flat with his dad and building a future for himself.
“On the evening of Thursday, 29 January 2026, at approximately 20:37 hours, when the flat buzzer sounded, Josh assumed it was his pizza delivery. He went out of his front door onto the communal landing by the lift area to see if it was the delivery arriving.
“As he looked over the railing, it gave way.
“Josh fell from a height of five floors and died on impact.
“Josh’s father Will witnessed the immediate aftermath of his son’s fall, something no parent should ever have to see. He is deeply traumatised by what he witnessed.
“This is not an allegation or speculation. The railing gave way. Our son did not climb it or behave recklessly. A safety barrier that was meant to prevent a fall gave way, with catastrophic consequences.
“Josh was a happy, go-lucky young man who loved life. He loved playing games online with friends and staying connected to people, wherever he was. Growing up in Claudy, Josh loved the craic at the GAA pitch. He didn’t play for a team, but that never stopped him being the best supporter.
“He had a smile that lit up every room and was widely described as kind, funny, and full of charisma, with impeccable manners and an ease with people that made him instantly likeable.
“Josh’s favourite quote was: ‘Every day is precious, just like you.’
“Our family is absolutely devastated. We have lost our son. We should not be planning a cremation. We should not be waiting for pathology reports. We should not be writing statements like this or trying to navigate trauma and bureaucracy at the same time.
“Yet here we are.
“We are deeply grateful for the support of The Katie Trust a charity that supports families following sudden, unexplained, or traumatic deaths by helping them navigate complex systems, ask the right questions, and access trauma-informed support while seeking truth and accountability.
“We are seeking answers not only for Josh, but so that no other family ever has to endure this pain. Not one more.
“We will be seeking answers from Islington and Shoreditch Housing Association ISHA and relevant stakeholders and contractors Metropolitan Police Service and from Josh’s Member of Parliament, Keir Starmer for the constituency where Josh resided.
“We are asking straightforward questions:
“When was the railing last inspected?
“What maintenance records exist?
“Were any concerns raised about corrosion or structural integrity?
“What steps were taken to ensure residents’ safety?
“We are not seeking to prejudice any investigation or legal process. We want transparency, accountability, and the truth.
“Our son is dead, and he should not be.
“Safety barriers exist to save lives. When they fail, families deserve answers, and systems must be examined so this never happens again.
“Josh deserved a future.
“No family should ever have to go through this because a safety barrier gave way.
“We deserve answers.”
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