UPDATE: |’Don’t touch him’: Man fell to his death off flat’s third-floor balcony as trio sat inside News

‘We are still left with many unanswered questions’, William Lyall’s sister said

A man under the influence of crack cocaine and alcohol lowered himself off the balcony of a third-floor flat before falling to his death, an inquest heard.

William Lyall was at the apartment Black Friar Court in Salford on August 11 last year when he fell. A ‘homicide’ investigation was launched following the incident, with three others present arrested, Bolton Coroners’ Court heard.

They were ultimately released without charge. Lauren Harte, Vjaceslav Cvetkovs and John Fleet were named in court as an inquest into Mr Lyall’s death was held.

Mr Cvetkovs and Mr Fleet could not be traced and issued with summonses to attend court. Assistant coroner Bronia Hartley told the court of police interviews with the two men following the incident.

The court heard that when Mr Lyall and Ms Harte arrived at the flat, Mr Fleet and Mr Cvetkovs were under the influence of drugs. The inquest was told Mr Lyall took crack cocaine and drank alcohol.

He was later seen hanging from the balcony. The court was unable to establish why, but it did not appear he was forced to do so. It is not believed he intended to take his own life, it was said.

Mr Fleet, the inquest heard, told police he had heard Ms Harte say: “Don’t you f**king dare, leave him, he’s attention seeking.” The court heard Mr Cvetkovs claimed to have heard her say words to the effect of ‘don’t touch him’.

Analysis of fingerprints on the balcony edge suggested he lost his grip and fell, the court heard. Emergency services were called at around 8.28pm.

Mr Lyall was taken to Salford Royal Hospital, where he sadly died. Assistant coroner Ms Hartley told the court: “Because of the circumstances, the police became involved.

“Following preliminary investigations it was concluded that there were no suspicious circumstances, but the matter was subsequently reopened and investigated as a possible homicide.

“Ms Harte, Mr Fleet and Mr Cvetkovs were all arrested and interviewed. All three were subsequently released without charge.”

Recording a narrative conclusion, the coroner said: “On August 11, 2024, the deceased -while under the influence of alcohol and crack cocaine – deliberately lowered himself off the balcony of a flat on the third floor of Blackfriars Court, Salford.

“The deceased was seen hanging from the balcony by both hands for a period of time before losing his grip and falling to the ground below.

“Paramedics from the North West Ambulance Service provided emergency treatment care to the deceased before transporting him to Salford Royal Hospital. A full trauma team response was initiated prior to the deceased’s arrival at hospital.

“Despite extensive efforts to assess, resuscitate and stabilise the deceased at the hospital, his injuries proved incompatible with life and died at the hospital at 22.10 hours the same day.

“Save that it’s apparent from the evidence that he didn’t intend to take his life, it’s not been possible to establish the deceased’s intention when lowering himself off the balcony.

“William Lyall died as a consequence of unsurvivable traumatic injuries sustained in a fall from height.”

Mr Lyall’s sister Sylvia appeared via video link. She said: “We are so grateful, but we are still left with many unanswered questions. Two witnesses failed to appear at the inquest. This has been incredibly hard for us as a family.

“William’s life matters, and so does how he came to lose his life. This is not just about our family – tomorrow it could be another family.”