Tributes have been paid to a coach driver who was killed when a window plummeted 25 storeys from the penthouse of a luxury London tower block.

Mick Ferris was pronounced dead after police were called to The Corniche development on the Albert Embankment on Tuesday at about 10.40am.

The 53-year-old was a driver for the National Express-owned firm Clarkes Of London and, according to a colleague, had been with the company for more than 30 years.

In the wake of his death, he has been described on social media as a “really nice” man.

Comedian James Corden tweeted: “I’m so saddened by the passing of Mick Ferris. He was a huge West Ham fan and has passed away in the most sudden of circumstances.

“My thoughts are with his family and everyone who knew him. None of us are promised tomorrow. Tell your loved ones you love them today.”

Following the incident, a co-worker who was next to the development situated beside the River Thames, described Mr Ferris as as “a really nice fellow” and said his death was a “tragedy”.

Residents started moving into the block in December, but the penthouse remained unoccupied, according to a spokesman for the property’s developer, St James.

Scrap metal dealer Paddy Riley, 59, said he was driving past shortly after the window had fallen and saw a middle-aged man lying on his back with a serious head injury.

“There was lots of blood everywhere and other stuff – it was very, very distressing,” he told the Press Association.

An image taken from The Corniche on the south bank of the river shows a large window unit, complete with metal frame containing glass, on top of the victim.

The body, lying in the road outside the property and covered by a sheet, was surrounded by wooden pallets and a substantial amount of blood, as emergency services surveyed the scene.

A Clarkes Of London spokeswoman said: “Our thoughts and sympathy are with the family at this difficult time.”

Albert Embankment incident
The missing window on the top floor of The Corniche on the Albert Embankment in central London (Nick Ansell/PA)

The Health and Safety Executive said it was making “initial inquiries” while in contact with the Metropolitan Police.

Forensic investigators were seen at the empty window frame.

A St James spokesman said: “We extend our deepest sympathies to his family at this incredibly difficult time.

“We are investigating this incident as a matter of urgency and working with the emergency services to establish what happened.”

The Corniche is listed as an “exclusive riverside address” made up of 252 two, three, and four-bedroom apartments which overlook a number of London landmarks.

Designed by Foster + Partners, the same company responsible for the Gherkin, properties are priced between £2.7 million and £6.25 million.