Men died 'trying to pull sofa up to balcony with ropes'

Eyewitnesses have told ITV London that two removal men who died when a balcony collapsed in Cadogan Square were trying to pull a sofa up from the street with ropes.

Bystanders said three of the workmen had fashioned a pulley with ropes to try and bring the sofa up and through the patio doors that opened on to the balcony. Two of the men were leaning against the balcony when the railings gave way.

A health and safety investigation has now been launched and police are trying to contact the relatives of the two workmen who died.