Pregnant woman’s baby delivered half an hour after she died in tower block fall, coroner finds
Warning: This article contains references to graphic content which some readers may find distressing.
A pregnant woman whose baby survived a 10-storey fall from a tower block deliberately propelled herself from a window, but may not have intended to take her own life, a coroner has concluded.
Emma Atkinson, 38, died after falling from the ninth floor of Shakespeare Towers in the Burmantofts area of Leeds on October 22, 2024. She was more than seven months pregnant at the time.
Her daughter was delivered by emergency Caesarean section within half an hour of the fall and survived.
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An inquest heard Ms Atkinson had gone to visit her father, David Atkinson, who lived on the ninth floor of the block.
In a statement summarised at the hearing, Mr Atkinson said his daughter went into the living room, sat on the back of a chair and began smoking a cigarette in front of the window.
He said she removed the safety catches and opened the window fully so it was horizontal.
The inquest heard Mr Atkinson asked what she was doing and told her to shut the window because it was cold, but she replied 'not to worry (as) she was just getting some fresh air'.
Shortly afterwards, he heard Ms Atkinson say: "I’m off," before seeing her feet disappear out of the window. He ran over and saw his daughter lying on the pavement below.
Detective Constable Emily Parnham told the inquest CCTV captured the fall at 10.20 am and that Ms Atkinson 'did not appear to be distressed'.
Paramedics found Ms Atkinson had not survived the fall, and the coroner heard all further treatment was carried out in the hope of saving her baby.
The child was delivered by emergency Caesarean section after Ms Atkinson arrived at Leeds General Infirmary.
Ms Parnham said West Yorkshire Police found no evidence of third-party involvement or any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.
The inquest also heard Mr Atkinson 'believes Emma went to the flat with the intention of jumping out of the window to take her own life'.
Coroner Naomi McLoughlin said Ms Atkinson had experienced mental health difficulties in the past and had recently been worried about the possibility of being sent to prison after missing a court appearance days earlier over an allegation of shoplifting.
However, family members who attended the hearing 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'.
Recording a narrative conclusion, Ms McLoughlin said there was insufficient evidence to determine whether Ms Atkinson's death was suicide or an accident.
The conclusion stated: "Emma Atkinson died from a self-inflicted act, but her probable intent cannot be ascertained either way."
The coroner 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."
She said this had to be balanced against the fact there had been no concerns raised about Ms Atkinson's mental health in the weeks before her death and that she had been making plans to see family.
Ms McLoughlin described Ms Atkinson as 'a much-loved woman by all who knew her'.
If you're experiencing distressing thoughts and feelings, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is there to support you. They're open from 5pm–midnight, 365 days a year. Their national number is 0800 58 58 58 and they also have a webchat service if you're not comfortable talking on the phone.
Rhiannon Ingle