We're all still learning about cultural differences
Quote:Heartbreaking image shows woman cling to Glasgow window moments before tragic death.The Daily Record:
The photograph was taken by a shocked eyewitness to Alem Shimeni's death, which has sparked
concerns over support services for immigrants housed in the city's tower blocks.
'This is the horrific moment a woman dangles from an 11th floor window ledge before plunging to her
death. Shocked eyewitnesses watched from the street and nearby flats as Alem Shimeni struggled
desperately to claw her way back into the flat.
But she plummeted 100ft to the ground, dying instantly. Minutes later, locals in Glasgow’s Royston
apprehended a man as he tried to flee.
A witness who lives in an adjacent block took the photograph that captured the 30-year-old Eritrean’s
last moments. He said: “I could hear hysterical screaming and I went to the window and I saw the woman
being held by the hair.
“She didn’t fall right away, because she was trying desperately to hold on to the window sill and she was
scratching at the wall with her feet, trying to get a hold to keep herself from falling. “I thought I should take a
photo as evidence but I was really hoping she would be dragged back in by whoever was holding her hair.
“As I watched, she fell to the ground. She didn’t move.
“I can’t see how anyone could have survived that. It was terrible to watch.”
Alem’s tragic death prompted calls last night from Labour MP Paul Sweeney, who represents the area,
for a major overhaul of support services for immigrants –many of whom are housed in the city’s tower blocks.
He said: “I am continually shocked at the hostility and vindictiveness that the most vulnerable people in the
world are treated with when they come to this country. “The system is broken and leaves people even more
vulnerable.”
The eyewitness who took the photo told how he helped to tackle a man as he tried to run away from the scene
in Charles Street. He said: “I went running down the stairs, phoning 999 as I went.
“An African guy had come out of block 150 and had tried to run away. But he fell over a wall and he got grabbed
by a concierge and a few women who were there. “He broke away and I ran across and grabbed him and I was
helped by a few people. We held him until the police arrived a few minutes later.
“There were some women there who were hysterical. They spoke the same language as the guy.
“He was chanting and, I think, praying, and he looked out of it.
“I have no idea if he was related to the woman in any way or what any of it was about.”
Alem fell to her death on Monday at around 5.15pm.
Worshippers at the local Eritrean Orthodox church have paid tribute to the member of their congregation, calling
her a “wonderful” woman. Joseph Ghebreyesus, who is on the church board, said: “She was part of the choir.
We’ve lost a wonderful person and it’s a very hard time for us.”
The church is hoping to make arrangements to send Alem’s body back to her family in Eritrea.
Police have appealed for witnesses to come forward but said no charges had been brought in relation to the incident.
Detective Inspector Aileen Boyle, of the Major Investigation Team, said: “Officers are continuing to gather every detail
possible on Alem’s death.
“This is a very busy area and I am sure that there are people who may have witnessed this incident who have not yet
come forward to police. “The details they hold could be vital to this investigation and I would urge anyone with information
to contact us as soon as possible.”
Additional police patrols have been put in place in the area and there’s an incident caravan at the foot of the tower block...'
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