A pregnant woman whose baby survived a 10-storey fall from a tower block deliberately propelled herself out of the window, but may not have intended to kill herself, a coroner has found.
Emma Atkinson's daughter was successfully delivered within half an hour of the fall at Shakespeare Towers, in the Burmantofts area of Leeds, on October 22, 2024. The mother of five, 38, was more than seven months pregnant.
Inquest details
An inquest heard that Ms Atkinson had gone to visit her father, David Atkinson, who lived on the ninth floor. Mr Atkinson told police that his daughter went into the living room, sat on the back of a chair, and started smoking a cigarette in front of the window. She removed the safety catches and opened it fully, so it was horizontal.
Mr Atkinson asked what she was doing and told her to shut the window because it was cold, but she said 'not to worry (as) she was just getting some fresh air'. Shortly afterwards, he heard her say 'I'm off' and saw her feet going out of the window. He ran to the window and saw his daughter on the pavement below.
Investigation and conclusion
Detective Constable Emily Parnham said the fall at 10.20am was captured on CCTV, and Ms Atkinson 'did not appear to be distressed'. Paramedics found she had not survived the fall, and all further treatment was in the hope of saving the baby. The child was delivered by emergency Caesarean section after Ms Atkinson arrived at Leeds General Infirmary.
West Yorkshire Police's investigation concluded there was no third-party involvement and no suspicious circumstances. Coroner Naomi McLoughlin said Ms Atkinson had struggled with mental health in the past and was worried about possibly being sent to prison after missing a court appearance over a shoplifting allegation.
Her family said she was 'so excited' about the impending births of her daughter and grandson and 'would never have left her kids', adding that her 'life revolved around her children'.
Ms McLoughlin said there was not enough evidence to say whether the death was suicide or an accident, and recorded a narrative conclusion: 'Emma Atkinson died from a self-inflicted act but her probable intent cannot be ascertained either way.' She said she was satisfied 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.'
The coroner balanced that with the fact that there were no concerns about her mental health in the weeks leading up to her death, and that she had been making plans to see family. Ms McLoughlin said Ms Atkinson was 'a much-loved woman by all who knew her'.
