A young girl has been airlifted to hospital after falling from a window above a Caffe Nero in Kent.
Emergency services were called to the scene at the Royal Victoria Place shopping centre in Tunbridge Wells on Friday afternoon after the child, thought to be a young girl, ‘plunged’ from the upstairs window.
The child fell approximately 15ft (4.5m) and was conscious at the scene, South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) said.
The victim was then treated by ambulance crews before being airlifted to hospital in London.
A witness told KentOnline: ‘There’s two floors on top of Caffè Nero and we have no idea what window it was from.
‘I just heard a lady scream with fear and then a little girl laying in the floor screaming and crying.’
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s (TWBC) Environmental health team has since served a prohibition notice preventing customers or members of the public from accessing the upstairs seating area of the Caffè Nero branch.
The local authority has launched a full investigation into the incident.
A spokesperson for TWBC said: ‘We were very upset to hear about this incident and our thoughts are with the child and their family. We wish the child a full and speedy recovery.
‘On Friday afternoon after we were notified about the incident, members of the Council’s Environmental Health team visited the premises and served a Health and Safety Prohibition Notice prohibiting access to the upstairs seating area by customers and/or members of the public; this remains in place.
‘Under the Council’s health and safety enforcement responsibilities we are continuing a full and thorough investigation into the circumstances of the incident.’
South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) confirmed it was called to reports of a child falling from a height.
A spokesperson said: ‘I can confirm that SECAmb was called to reports of a child falling from height in Royal Victoria Place, Tunbridge Wells, at approximately 2.25pm on Friday (16 February).
‘Ambulance crews attended the scene and were joined at the scene by Air Ambulance Charity Kent, Surrey, Sussex.
‘The child was assessed and treated before being airlifted to hospital in London for further checks.’
A spokesperson for Royal Victoria Place offered their ‘best wishes’ to the family of the child.
They confirmed the lease of the premises is held by Caffè Nero and said they are unable to comment further, as a result.
The spokesperson said: ‘The safety of our visitors, colleagues and retailers is the utmost priority.
‘We are saddened to learn of the terrible incident at Caffè Nero on Grosvenor Road and send our best wishes for a positive outcome for the family.’
A spokesperson for Caffè Nero said: ‘We understand from the police the little girl suffered minor injuries, which we are very pleased to hear. We wish her a full and speedy recovery and will help with any investigation.’
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
