Bristol office worker fell to his death in front of staff inside Axa building
AN office worker fell to his death in front of staff inside one of Bristol's biggest office buildings.
The man, who is believed to have been in his 50s, fell three storeys from the top floor at the Axa Centre, in Stoke Gifford, on to the floor of an atrium yesterday afternoon.
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Bristol office worker fell to his death in front of staff inside Axa building
Shocked workers at the centre, where 3,000 people work, were sent home by bosses after the incident.
Paramedics and police were called immediately but the man, who had not been named by police last night, was declared dead at the scene.
It is not clear how the man fell from a balcony outside offices on the third floor of the building, which is the headquarters of the Axa insurance firm.
The Evening Post understands that he was an employee of finance firm Capita, which manages life insurance policies for Axa.
It is believed he had been signed off from his job with stress and had only recently returned to work.
The incident occurred at 1.30pm yesterday.
Workers at the centre said they heard a loud noise followed by "shrill screams".
Bosses immediately told staff to remain in their offices as they went to investigate.
As the tragedy became apparent staff were told to keep away from the balconies and main escalators to shield them from the scene in the atrium below.
The distinctive offices are built around a glass atrium which houses a canteen and shops.
One Axa employee, who asked not to be named, said she knew something serious was wrong when she heard shouts of alarm.
She said: "I work on level two of the building. Just before 1.30pm we heard a thudding sound and then a lot of screaming.
"People went out on to the balcony and said they could see a man lying on the floor.
"The managers ran past, looked out and then ordered everyone back into the office and not to leave their desks.
"Five minutes later two women came in, in hysterics and crying, and said that a man had fallen over the top of the balcony on the third level and had hit the floor on the bottom level outside WH Smith.
"It was quite confusing. As we started to hear what had happened people were shocked, and people who saw it were crying, which is pretty understandable.
"We were just stood there and didn't really know what to do. You just don't expect something like this to happen."
Staff were initially told to carry on working and were sent an email telling them not to walk around the balconies, which were guarded by a police community support officer and senior staff.
Then a group email at 2.50pm informed staff that the Axa Centre was to be closed for the rest of the day because of "an incident".
The worker said: "The email didn't say exactly what had occurred, but from what people were saying everyone knew what had happened."
By 3pm the 3,000 staff based at the centre – 900 Capita employees and 2,100 Axa workers – were leaving the site, many in tears.
Staff were instructed not to speak to the press but one woman said: "We don't know exactly what has happened.
"We were just told that a man had hurt himself and that was it. The managers came in to tell us and we are due to come back tomorrow."
Another worker added: "I don't know who the man was. All I know is that a tragic incident has occurred and police are investigating."
In March, Capita announced that it would be cutting 300 staff at its offices in Stoke Gifford.
But staff yesterday said theat there had been no more talk of redundancies recently.
A party due to be held at @Bristol last night to mark the splitting of Axa into two parts, Axa and Friends' Life, was cancelled after the incident.
Capita spokeswoman Caroline Mooney said: "We are aware of a serious incident at our Bristol operations which resulted in the fatality of a member of Capita staff.
"We wish to express the deepest sympathy to his family and colleagues."
36 Comments
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by Annoyed, Bristol
Monday, September 06 2010, 5:30PM
“Anon, when papers are ordered they are not orderd direct from the evening post they are ordered through a company called Dawsons, At the end of the day... fair enough if you feel he was selfish to do what he did but you have no right.... this poor man has been in a state of mind for this to happen that no one else can imagine unless you have been there, the whole of axa are grieveing a loss of a great committed member of staff and all you lot are doing is going on about corrections of spelling and how selfish he was or what could/couldnt have happened. Show some respect!! :@”
by col., bristol
Monday, September 06 2010, 2:54AM
“Wow, what a load of garbage. You lot do go on about nothing. Get out and about and learn more about life.”
by Bristolbabe1, Bristol
Saturday, September 04 2010, 12:04PM
“I don't know what's wrong with people these days - they have no respect, sensitivity, commonsense or thought for others. A man has died in tragic circumstances, a family has lost a loved one, colleagues and emergency services have to come to terms with what they've seen and pick up the pieces. Remember all of that! This country is full on numpties who have no thought for anyone other than themselves and have no respect, manners or sense. Frankly I think the reaction to this terrible event is sickening. If indeed, this poor man has been affected by his employment situation, be warned - get used to it - this is only the start! You could be next.”
by A, Bristol
Saturday, September 04 2010, 11:17AM
“My partner and lot's of my friends work in the building and witnessed this traumatic event. My only thought was thankgod they or anyone else weren't standing underneath the man when he jumped otherwise it would have been really tragic. And I do not agree with the censorship comments. Accurately reported events in the paper are not a sign of disrespect. Long live freedom of information.”
by A nonny mouse, Cheltenham, but employed in Bristol
Saturday, September 04 2010, 5:55AM
“Well, one could say, if he was concerned about how the facts of the incident could be portrayed, he wouldn't have fallen over and into the most blooming obvious busiest area of the whole building!! - My only sympathy is for those who had to see the effects of this incident.”
by local, Bristol
Friday, September 03 2010, 11:13PM
“How about you show some sympathy to what has happened, some of us has witnessed this tragic event and still coming to terms of what has happened.
The man was a great man i worked with him for many years so i wish the petty squables to stop and people realise what is important.
What happened i do not wish on anyone.”
by Anon, Bristol
Friday, September 03 2010, 8:01PM
“To the ones quick to acuse, have they considered it could be that the Evening Post found out simply by circumstance.
What with WH Smiths being in AXA centre, the Evening Post is delivered there so there may have been something as simple as a call to say don't deliver/pick up this afternoon that put them on the trail.
Yes there is some 'witness comments' but I imagine everyone was in some degree of shock and talking about the event to anyone would form some kind of much needed release.
I offer my condolunces to family and friends.”
by Samantha Creed, Longwell green
Friday, September 03 2010, 6:50PM
“Anon, you have used my name rather a lot.
Dont wear it out or associate it with you inane ramblings again.
I take it you dont believe people should hear news then?
I pity you fool.”
by Ex Staff Member, Bristol
Friday, September 03 2010, 5:41PM
“I want to express my deep and sincere sympathy for the family and friends of this kind gentleman, who I had the honour of working with for a number of years.
I would like to point out that Capita have been doing almost constant redundancy meetings since the end of last year and most of the staff are having to cope with surviving one round only to be placed at risk of redundancy a week or two later.
Most of the staff are in fact at risk at this exact moment and are waiting to hear if they will have a job at the end of October.
Surely, something like this has led to increased stress within the workplace and I know that a number of staff have been signed off work because of this during the past few months.
Maybe Capita need to think about how they treat their staff, before anymore accidents occur.”
by Pogo the Clown, .
Friday, September 03 2010, 3:20PM
“Before you accuse me of being insensitive, you'll notice I only made one correction...”