![\"Emma](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SEI_226745948-3e14.jpg\")
\n\t\tEmma Atkinson\u2019s daughter was successfully delivered within half an hour of the fall at Shakespeare Towers, in the Burmantofts area of Leeds (Picture: Emma Atkinson)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tEmma Atkinson\u2019s daughter was successfully delivered within half an hour of the fall at Shakespeare Towers, in the Burmantofts area of Leeds (Picture: Emma Atkinson)<\/p>\n
A\u00a0pregnant\u00a0woman whose baby survived a 10-storey fall from a tower block \u2018deliberately propelled herself\u2019 out of the window but may not have intended to kill herself, a coroner has found.<\/p>\n
Emma Atkinson\u2019s daughter was successfully delivered within half an hour of the fall at Shakespeare Towers, in the Burmantofts area of Leeds<\/a>, on October 22, 2024.<\/p>\n An inquest heard the mum of five, 38, who was more than seven months\u00a0pregnant, had gone to visit her father David Atkinson, who lived on the ninth floor.<\/p>\n Mr Atkinson told police that his daughter went into the living room of the flat, sat on the back of a chair and started smoking a cigarette in front of the window.<\/p>\n In a statement summarised at the inquest, he said she removed the safety catches on the window and opened it fully, so it was horizontal.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tSign up for all of the latest stories\t\t\t<\/p>\n Start your day informed with Metro’s News Updates<\/a> newsletter or get Breaking News<\/a> alerts the moment it happens. <\/p>\n The inquest heard Mr Atkinson asked what she was doing and told her to shut the window because it was cold, but she told him \u2018not to worry (as) she was just getting some fresh air\u2019.<\/p>\n Shortly afterwards he heard Ms Atkinson say: \u2018I\u2019m off,\u2019 and saw her feet going out of the window.<\/p>\n He ran to the window and saw his daughter on the pavement below, the inquest heard.<\/p>\n Detective Constable Emily Parnham said Ms Atkinson\u2019s fall from the window at 10.20am was captured on CCTV, and told the inquest she \u2018did not appear to be distressed\u2019.<\/p>\n The coroner heard how paramedics who arrived at the scene found that Ms Atkinson had not survived the fall, and all further treatment done was in the hope of saving the baby.<\/p>\n The child was delivered by an emergency Caesarean section after Ms Atkinson arrived at Leeds General Infirmary.<\/p>\n The inquest heard Mr Atkinson \u2018believes Emma went to the flat with the intention of jumping out of the window to take her own life\u2019.<\/p>\n \t\t Ms Parnham said West Yorkshire Police\u2019s investigation concluded there was no third-party involvement in her death, and no suspicious circumstances.<\/p>\n Coroner Naomi McLoughlin said Ms Atkinson had struggled with her mental health<\/a> in the past and was worried about possibly being sent to prison after missing a court appearance days before her death, over an allegation of shoplifting.<\/p>\n Her family, who attended the inquest, said she was \u2018so excited\u2019 about the impending births of her daughter and grandson and \u2018would never have left her kids\u2019, adding that her \u2018life revolved around her children\u2019.<\/p>\n Ms McLoughlin said there was not enough evidence to say whether Ms Atkinson\u2019s death was suicide or an accident and recorded a narrative conclusion that said: \u2018Emma Atkinson died from a self-inflicted act but her probable intent cannot be ascertained either way.\u2019<\/p>\n She said she was satisfied that Ms Atkinson had deliberately propelled herself out of the window, but added: \u2018I have to consider the issue of her intent.<\/p>\n \u2018I note the deliberate act of removing the safety catches from the window \u2026 and the manner of her falling, captured by the CCTV.\u2019<\/p>\n The coroner said she balanced that with the fact that there were no concerns raised about her mental health in the weeks leading up to her death, and that she had been making plans to see family.<\/p>\n Ms McLoughlin said Ms Atkinson was \u2018a much-loved woman by all who knew her\u2019.<\/p>\n Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n For more stories like this, check our news page<\/a>.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"Plunge:Pregnant](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SEI_226772642-b9a3.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe inquest heard Mr Atkinson \u2018believes Emma went to the flat with the intention of jumping out of the window to take her own life\u2019<\/p>\n
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