Tragedy as student fell 60ft to death out of window after getting ‘hammered’ with his dad
Andreas Christou, 20, died after going for drinks with father
A UNIVERSITY student died after climbing out of a bathroom window and falling 60ft to his death after going out for drinks with his father.
Andreas Christou, an English and History student at Edinburgh University, had been out with his father
Christou, who was visiting from London for the day on October 29 last year.
An inquest heard last week how the 20-year-old, of Norbury, South London, had drunk a lot of red wine during dinner with his father.
At the time of his death, the student's family described him as an "angel" who would be deeply "missed."
His dad said in a written statement to Croydon Coroner's Court how he had 'never seen his son drink red wine before' and had 'tried to stop him before realising how drunk he was'.
Mr Christou took his son back to his student digs in a fourth floor Victorian flat, but he passed out on the floor.
Housemate Isabel Jahnke told how Andreas's father started speaking to him in Greek and gently slapped his cheeks to try and rouse him.
She told the inquest: "He never showed signs that he recognised me, which to me suggests he was hammered."
The court heard how some time later Andreas woke up and ran to the bathroom saying he was feeling sick.
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He locked the door, but after not coming out for a 'long time' and not responding to his housemates when they asked him to open the door, Ms Jahnke's boyfriend kicked the door open.
His housemates, however, found the bathroom empty, with the large sash window fully open.
The inquest heard how the 20-year-old student had fallen from the fourth-storey window, between 50ft-60ft high, and was rushed to hospital with 'catastrophic head and neck injuries' where he was pronounced dead.
Friend Lila Grandgeorge said Andreas was an 'occasional drinker, who tended to binge drink' if he was going out.
She told the inquest: "I really can't explain it. It was just sudden madness."
Coroner Selena Lynch, recording an open conclusion - after ruling out suicide or an accident - said there were no drugs in the student's system, but that a toxicology report showed 'very high alcohol levels'.
Speaking to Andreas's mum Lena Christou, the coroner said it must was 'difficult to know what on earth was going through his mind'.
She said: "There is no room for this being an accident, but it would be wrong for to say this was a case of suicide. I just don't have enough evidence.
"He's gone to some trouble going out of the window. You would need to be quite nimble to go from that toilet seat out to that window.
"Some people do get very distressed when they drinking and are just not in charge of themselves - he was highly intoxicated and may not have understood the nature and quality in his acts.", the Croydon Guardian reported.
She added: "It is an absolute tragedy and I am sure his death will stay with you forever as a family. But I do hope in time you will remember him and happy and heartier times.
"There is no suggestion he was ever conscious at the scene, which I hope might be some comfort for the family."
He was loved by many for his warm smile, infectious laugh and beautiful personality
Alexia Pegasiou
The coroner recorded an open conclusion.
At the time of his death, Andreas Christou's cousin Alexia Pegasiou wrote: "On the evening of the 29th October 2015 our beloved cousin became an angel.
"He was loved by many for his warm smile, infectious laugh and beautiful personality that will live on in our hearts forever.
"As many of you know, Andreas was a lover of history and culture.
"His favourite place was the Victoria and Albert museum where he had always dreamed of working one day."
"Andreas we miss you. Rest in peace - Love you always, your cousins Jo, Lex & Steph."
A total of £2,080 was raised for the V&A in Andreas Christou's memory on Justgiving.com by Alexia Pegasiou.
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