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A popular coach driver has died after a window pane crashed 27 floors from a penthouse flat and landed on top of him in central London.

Mick Ferris, 53, was killed by the glass, which is understood to have fallen from a luxury development on the Thames riverside.

Mr Ferris was employed by coach company Clarkes of London, where colleagues have been left devastated by the tragedy.

He was killed instantly outside the block of flats on the Albert Embankment.

Police and paramedics were called to the just before 11am today, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

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(Image: PA)

(Image: Facebook)

(Image: Facebook)

A statement from National Express, issued on behalf of his employer, said: "This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the victim's family.

"It is not appropriate for us to comment any further while the Police investigate this tragedy and speak to the next of kin."

It is believed that the glass panel fell fell around 250 feet from a penthouse at The Corniche development on the south bank of the Thames where apartments cost up to £6 million

Paddy Riley, 59, saw the aftermath of the horror accident and said the victim was wearing a grey jumper that was covered in blood.

"It was very bad, I would call it totally distressing," he added.

(Image: PA/Afshin Rattansi)

Another witness, who asked not to be named, said: "The man was a coach driver for Clarkes of London.

"He came out of the Riverbank Plaza Hotel and he was hit - he had been using the toilet.

“It is a big shock, nobody expects this to happen, especially round here.”

Jermaine Dawes, 32, a builder who works near the scene, said: "I came back from lunch and I saw glass everywhere.

"Police were all over the road, he wasn't moving, it was such a mess.

"The man is dead, that's for sure; an ambulance came and picked him up."

He added: "They say it was a faulty panel, but that place has only just been done.

"I heard that it was a bus driver."

A colleague of Mr Ferris told MailOnline: "He was a lovely guy, really warm and friendly."

Another said that Mr Ferris was a "popular bloke" and workers at the coach company were devastated.

The colleague said he had been set to go on holiday to the Maldives next week with his wife Rachel and some friends.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "Police were called by the London Ambulance Service at 10.42am to reports of a man injured in Albert Embankment.

"The man was pronounced dead at the scene."

His next of kin have been informed.

(Image: PA)

He added: "At this early stage in the investigation, it is believed he was hit by something falling from a building.

"Officers remain at the scene. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has been informed. Enquiries continue."

A Clarkes of London spokesperson said: "This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the victim's family.

"It is not appropriate for us to comment any further while the police investigate this tragedy and speak to the next of kin."

A HSE spokesperson said: “HSE is aware of the incident at Albert Embankment and making initial enquiries alongside Met Police."