A pregnant woman who fell from a Leeds tower block had her baby successfully delivered within 30 minutes, an inquest has heard. Emma Atkinson, 38, a mother-of-five, died after falling from the ninth floor of Shakespeare Towers in Burmantofts on October 22, 2024.
Coroner's conclusion
Coroner Naomi McLoughlin concluded that Ms Atkinson "deliberately propelled herself" through the window, but said there was not enough evidence to establish whether her death was suicide or an accident. She recorded a narrative conclusion stating: "Emma Atkinson died from a self-inflicted act but her probable intent cannot be ascertained either way."
The inquest heard that Ms Atkinson, who was more than seven months pregnant, had visited her father David Atkinson at his ninth-floor flat. He told police she walked into the living room, perched on the back of a chair and began smoking a cigarette beside the window.
Events leading to the fall
In a statement summarised during the inquest, Mr Atkinson said she removed the safety catches from the window and opened it fully, so that it was horizontal. He questioned what she was doing and urged her to close the window due to the cold, to which she responded telling him "not to worry (as) she was just getting some fresh air".
Shortly afterwards, he heard Ms Atkinson say: "I'm off," before witnessing her feet disappearing through the window. He rushed over to discover his daughter lying on the pavement below.
Detective Constable Emily Parnham told the inquest that CCTV footage captured Ms Atkinson falling from the window at 10.20am, and she "did not appear to be distressed". Paramedics found that Ms Atkinson had not survived the fall, with all subsequent medical intervention carried out in an attempt to save the baby. The child was delivered by emergency Caesarean section after Ms Atkinson was taken to Leeds General Infirmary.
No third party involvement
Ms Parnham confirmed that enquiries by West Yorkshire Police established there was no third party involvement in her death, nor any suspicious circumstances. Mr Atkinson "believes Emma went to the flat with the intention of jumping out of the window to take her own life".
The coroner noted that Ms Atkinson had previously struggled with her mental health and was deeply worried about the prospect of being imprisoned following a missed court appearance just days before her death, relating to an accusation of shoplifting. Her family members spoke of how she was "so excited" about the upcoming births of her daughter and grandson and "would never have left her kids", stressing that her "life revolved around her children".
Intent weighed
Ms McLoughlin said she was satisfied that Ms Atkinson had deliberately propelled herself out of the window, but added: "I have to consider the issue of her intent. I note the deliberate act of removing the safety catches from the window ... and the manner of her falling, captured by the CCTV."
This was weighed against the fact that no concerns had been raised about her mental health in the weeks leading up to her death, and that she had been making plans to visit family members. Ms McLoughlin described Ms Atkinson as "a much loved woman by all who knew her".
