Battersea's Bouchon Bar masonry inquest due to begin tomorrow (From Wandsworth Guardian)

Battersea's Bouchon Bar masonry inquest into death of Peter Westropp due to begin tomorrow

1:00pm Wednesday 3rd October 2012 in News

An inquest into the death of man killed by a piece of falling masonry outside a Battersea bar is due to begin tomorrow.

Peter Westropp, from Bromley, died after he was struck on the head after an awning collapsed at Le Bouchon Borderlais, in Battersea Rise, on August 11 last year.

The 27-year-old had been chatting with friends outside the brasserie when he was hit by a huge piece of stone, thought to be approximately 50kg.

The surveyor would have been 28 two days on Saturday and had been planning to celebrate his birthday at the same restaurant.

Speaking the day after the incident his cousin Helena Bell, 27, said: "I can’t understand how all of that fell off a wall. Peter was the nicest guy.

"This is where he came all the time. He was having his birthday here this Saturday.’

One tribute left at the scene read: "You are and always will be a legend - the life and soul of every party. You will be so missed."

The incident happened just two days after many parts of the borough were ransacked during last year's riots - however police have said they are unconnected.

The inquest, which is to be held at the North Westminster Coroner's Court in Marylebone, is expected to last five days.