Newborn baby fighting for its life after woman plunges to her death

A newborn baby is today fighting for its life after a heavily pregnant woman plunged to her death from a 17-storey tower block. 

The baby is today receiving 'critical care' after a woman in her 30s fell to her death from Shakespeare Towers in Burmantofts, Leeds, yesterday morning. 

She was pronounced dead at the scene and her child was later delivered in hospital.  

Officers do not believe there are any 'suspicious circumstances' in connection with the pregnant woman's death. 

One shocked resident who lives on the 14th floor told how he heard a 'thud' followed by screaming.

He told the BBC: 'It's a shock to everybody, to the whole community.'

Last night, a small bunch of flowers could be seen resting up against a bollard outside the block of flats in tribute to the mother-to-be. 

Local Labour councillor Luke Farley described the incident as 'deeply distressing' and said the area was home to a number of young families. 

He said: 'I want to reassure residents that there will be a police presence there over the next day or so.'

Councillor Asghar Khan said he 'was so saddened to hear this shocking news'.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said yesterday: 'At 10.24am today, police were contacted by the ambulance service who had been called to an incident where a woman had fallen from a height at Shakespeare Towers, in Shakespeare Approach, Burmantofts.

'The woman died at the scene as result of her injuries.

'There were no suspicious circumstances and the Coroner's Office has been informed.

'The woman, aged in her 30s, was in the late stage of pregnancy and her baby was delivered in hospital after the incident and is receiving critical care.'

The flats are owned by Leeds city council and were recently refurbished. 

Leeds city council declined to comment saying it was referring all requests to the police force.