Police were seen today guarding a Greenwich Peninsula apartment where a woman in her 50s plunged to her death from a fifth-floor balcony.

The flat on Barge Walk remains an "active crime scene", according to officers, following the incident which took place at around 8.30pm on Friday night.

The unnamed woman, believed to be in her 50s, fell "face first" several storeys to the ground, according to a witness. A post-mortem was due to take place today.

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One neighbour heard "shouts and yelling" at around the time the woman fell.

An officer at the scene said today: "This is an active crime scene and the investigation is still ongoing."

The death is being treated as "unexplained" by detectives. A man was arrested as part of the inquiry, but has since been released under investigation.

Abi, 22, who lives in the building, said her mother was walking past when the woman fell.

She said: "I know she heard a lot of shouts and yelling, but it was a hot Friday night and I think a lot of people were out and about enjoying themselves so I don't know if she thought it was anything unusual.

"She turned the corner and this woman was on the pavement, just outside where the car park gates are, as she fell face first with her legs broken in several places.

"My mum was really scared - I think emergency services arrived pretty quick and put a tent up to protect her privacy.

"I don't think she got a good look at who she was."

A neighbour, who lives on the floor directly below the flat from where the woman fell, said: "There were police and ambulances everywhere.

"The road was closed off."

Michaela Brown, 44, a university worker, said she was at home with her three kids when she saw what happened across the street.

She said: "We were in the living room when I just heard sirens - it was a commotion.

"I looked out and there was a group of people in the road. I had no idea what happened until I saw it on the news."

Another local resident, who declined to be named, said: "I heard from a neighbour that the woman's husband or partner or someone was arrested for it, but I don't know what for.

"I think it's possible she fell or maybe he pushed her. I don't want to say any more in case I'm wrong."

A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said: "Police were called to Barge Walk shortly after 8.30pm on Friday to reports of a woman fallen from height.

"Officers attended along with paramedics from London Ambulance Service.

"The woman, believed to be in her 50s, died at the scene. A post-mortem examination will be held today [SUN].

"The death is being treated as unexplained. Enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances.

"A man has been arrested as part of the enquiry. He has been released under investigation whilst the enquiry continues."