Horrified library visitors watch man plunge to death from top floor

Horrified witnesses have told of the moment they saw a man plunge to his death from the upper floor of a library.

A cordon is currently in place around the entrance of Liverpool Central Library, following the distressing incident this morning.

Emergency services were called to the scene, on William Brown Street, just after 9am.

Sadly, a man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Amarra Mossman was on the second floor of the busy landmark when she said she heard a "massive smash".

(Liverpool Echo/James Maloney)

The shaken up 18-year-old student said: "I was near the glass area - so the bit where you look out.

"I just saw something fly past - like an object go past me. I didn’t realise it was a person.

"I thought it was a bag that went over at first.

(Liverpool Echo/James Maloney)

“Then I head a massive smash - I really don’t know how to describe it.

“It really wasn’t something I would like to see again - if I’m honest."

Amarra, who was studying for her A level exams in the library, said there were around 40 people who were then evacuated from the building.

And it was only on her exit that she realised the seriousness of what had actually happened.

Police cordon off Central Library following reports that a man has fallen to his death inside the building on William Brown Street. (Liverpool Echo/James Maloney)

She added: “Once the alarm went off everyone was evacuated to the outside entrance not the front entrance and we were escorted to the museum after that as well.

"When I came down the stairs to leave the library - I saw him - it was horrific.

“People were in shock - saying “what was that? What was that?”

“There was one girl in hysterics crying, screaming and tearing up - there was a lot of that."

Another student Emma Roberts was also in the library but didn't see what happened.

The 16-year-old said: "I didn't see anything but just heard a crash at around 9.10am.

“After it happened, they just told us all to get out.”

Following the incident the library was closed and a message on its website reads: "Liverpool Central Library will be closed for the rest of today following an incident.

"All events that were due to take place have been cancelled.

"We will update you when we are able to reopen."

There is currently a police presence at the scene and officers are guarding the entrance, which has a cordon around it and turning away visitors.