A pregnant woman who fell from a tenth-floor window in a Leeds tower block died, but her unborn baby was delivered successfully within 30 minutes. The coroner concluded she deliberately propelled herself from the window, but her intent remained unclear.
Incident at Shakespeare Towers
Emma Atkinson, a 38-year-old mother of five, was more than seven months pregnant when she fell from the ninth floor of Shakespeare Towers in the Burmantofts area of Leeds on October 22, 2024. She had been visiting her father, David Atkinson, who lived on that floor.
During the inquest, Mr Atkinson said his daughter entered the living room, perched on the back of a chair, and began smoking a cigarette beside the window. She removed the safety catches and opened the window fully so it was horizontal. When he questioned her, she told him "not to worry (as) she was just getting some fresh air."
The Fall and Aftermath
Shortly after, he heard her say "I'm off," and then saw her feet disappear through the window. He rushed over to find her lying on the pavement below. Detective Constable Emily Parnham confirmed CCTV footage showed Ms Atkinson falling at 10.20am and that she "did not appear to be distressed."
Paramedics found Ms Atkinson had not survived the fall, and all medical efforts focused on saving the unborn child. The baby was delivered by emergency Caesarean section at Leeds General Infirmary.
Investigation and Inquest Findings
West Yorkshire Police concluded there was no third-party involvement or suspicious circumstances. Coroner Naomi McLoughlin noted Ms Atkinson had struggled with mental health and was anxious about facing imprisonment after missing a court appearance for a shoplifting allegation days before her death.
Her family described her as "so excited" about the upcoming births of her daughter and grandson and said she "would never have left her kids," stressing her life revolved around her children. The coroner recorded a narrative conclusion: "Emma Atkinson died from a self-inflicted act but her probable intent cannot be ascertained either way."
Ms McLoughlin said she was satisfied Ms Atkinson deliberately propelled herself out of the window but had to consider her intent, noting the deliberate removal of safety catches and the manner of her fall. She described Ms Atkinson as "a much loved woman by all who knew her."
