Ipswich Oaks building death: Officers on scene in CBD investigating reports of fall

An Ethical Standards Command investigation is underway into what caused a man to fall to his death from an Ipswich apartment building after police came looking for him.

Mario Giovanni Merlo has died after falling from a balcony at Ipswich on Wednesday morning.

A man who died after plunging from the balcony of his 13th floor Ipswich apartment while trying to avoid police has been identified as Mario Merlo.

The Queensland Times can confirm Mr Merlo, 42, was known to police, who had gone to his apartment to make enquiries with him before 8am Wednesday.

The Ethical Standards Command is now investigating the death.

Mr Merlo died after falling from the 13th floor of The Oaks Ipswich Aspire Suites and landing in the pool area of the complex about 8am.

Police have refused to comment on the incident so far, except to confirm that police were at the scene at the time and that this was the reason for the Ethical Standards Command investigation.

It is understood Mr Merlo was attempting to run from police when he fell.

Police, including forensic officers, went to the scene at the Ipswich building to speak to residents.

Emergency services responded to the incident Ipswich on Wednesday morning. Photo: Ross Irby

Paramedics responded to the incident on the corner of Darling Street East and West Street at 8am.

Residents look out from The Oaks Ipswich Aspire Suites building.

One Oaks resident said he understood a man had fallen off the balcony from the 13th floor of the building.

He said the complex’s pool area was blocked off by officers but residents and guests were still able to get in and out of their units.

One woman, who said she was staying on level four, said it was “very distressing and sad scenes”.

Another resident said it all “kicked off” at 8am with the sound of sirens the first sign something was amiss.

All he had been told was that there was an ongoing police investigation.

He said police officers were still on scene at noon.

Read more stories by Lachlan McIvor here.