A heavily pregnant woman who plunged 90 feet to her death from a 17-storey tower block has been named locally as Emma Atkinson. The tragic incident occurred yesterday morning at Shakespeare Towers in Burmantofts, Leeds.
A small bunch of flowers was seen last night outside the tower block, paying tribute to the young mother who was weeks away from expecting her fifth child. Paramedics battled to save Emma’s life after she fell from the tenth floor, but she was declared dead at the scene.
Emma’s baby was later delivered five weeks premature in hospital and is currently under critical care. Heartfelt tributes from heartbroken friends and family have flooded social media, remembering Emma as a “beautiful” mother.
Emma’s daughter announced the tragic news on Facebook, writing: “I need you so much mum, please come home. I just wanna kiss you and hear your voice. I love you more than life, mum.”
Officers say there are “no suspicious circumstances” in connection with her death. Only last month, Emma posted a picture on her Facebook page proudly showing off her baby bump.
Flowers have been left at the spot where Emma fell, with tributes reading: “Emma, you will be missed” and “RIP my girl. Love ya lots.”
Local resident Mandy Shires, 45, witnessed the aftermath and said: “The window she fell from was wide open all day… It can only be a miracle that her baby is alive. We are all praying the little girl makes it through.”
Friends Dylan Connolly, Zoe White, and Roxy Rooks have also paid tribute to Emma. Connolly described her as “the crazy friend we all needed,” while White wrote: “Oh my heart, I can’t believe it… one of the best. I honestly can’t put into words the pain in my heart for you and your kids.”
A shocked resident who lives on the 14th floor told the BBC: “It’s a shock to everybody, to the whole community.”
Wakefield Coroner’s Court has confirmed it has received a file in relation to Emma’s death. Leeds City Council Labour Councillor Luke Farley described the incident as “deeply distressing,” adding that the area is home to many young families.
Councillor Asghar Khan said he was “so saddened to hear this shocking news.” A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “There were no suspicious circumstances, and the Coroner’s Office has been informed.”
The tower block, built in the 1960s and recently refurbished, is owned by Leeds City Council, which declined to comment, referring all inquiries to the police.
