Family plunge to death in London as footballer Eriksen recovers at home

A family of three fell 400ft to their deaths from the 36th floor of the Highpoint tower block in Elephant and Castle on 27 May, as Christian Eriksen said he was “doing well” at home with his family after collapsing on the pitch in Denmark on Sunday. Rakesh Pai, 47, Aditi Paralkar, 46, and their nine-year-old son Sid died after plummeting from the south London skyscraper. Police believe the tragedy was a murder-suicide, with terminally ill Sid’s condition contributing to his parents’ “horrendous decision”, according to local MP Neil Coyle. Sid was born with severe illnesses, unable to speak, partially disabled and suffered from learning difficulties and kidney disease. Reports suggest the tragedy happened after Sid was allegedly denied further medical care and discharged from hospital to return home to die. The couple, born in India, had moved back to the UK last year after spending six years in India seeking specialist help for Sid. A friend said Aditi – known as Adi – struggled without family support in the UK and that her demanding job took a “huge toll on her mental health”. “It may have just got too much for her,” the friend said. Another friend questioned the murder-suicide theory, noting that Rakesh – known as Robin – was “the composed one” and handling things well. The exact circumstances will be determined at an inquest. Meanwhile, Christian Eriksen, 34, said in an Instagram statement that his “recovery has already started” after he collapsed during the game against Ukraine in Odense, which was abandoned on 65 minutes. The former Manchester United midfielder, now at Wolfsburg, was fitted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) after a cardiac arrest at Euro 2020. Denmark national team doctor Morten Boesen said “the pacemaker responded as it should”. Eriksen, who walked from the field after regaining consciousness, said: “For now, my focus is on recovering, spending time with my family, going on vacation, and playing football with my children.”