Tate Modern incident: Teenager in custody after child thrown from 10th floor viewing platform
A teenager has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following reports that a young child was thrown from a 10th floor viewing platform at London’s Tate Modern art gallery.
The six-year-old boy is in a critical condition after the London Air Ambulance airlifted him to hospital after he was treated at the scene yesterday.
“A 17-year-old male had remained with members of the public on the tenth floor viewing platform,” the Metropolitan Police said.
“There is nothing to suggest that he is known to the victim. The teenager was arrested by police officers on suspicion of attempted murder and taken into police custody.”
The incident occurred around 2.40pm at the Bankside gallery, when police officers and paramedics found the child on a fifth floor roof.
“The boy’s condition has now been assessed as critical but stable; his family are being supported by police,” the Met said.
“A number of members of the public are assisting police with witness statements. Visitors to the gallery have been allowed to leave,” the police added.
Witnesses reported hearing a “loud bang”, followed by a woman screaming “where’s my son, where’s my son?”, according to reports.
Visitors to the gallery were not allowed in or out of the building as police inquiries continued, with metal shutters coming down and the public being turned away from the building.
BBC journalist Jonny Dymond, who was in the gallery at the time, said two fire engines, 10 police cars and an incident control unit were in attendance.
“There were quite a lot of families with children, and security guards told us we couldn’t leave. There were at least two fire engines, 10 police cars and an incident control unit,” Dymond said.
“Parts of the exterior of the building were taped off.”
A spokesperson for the Tate said: “Tate is working closely with the police to help with their investigations. All our thoughts are with the child and his family.”