Heavily pregnant Emma Atkinson died after falling from dad's ninth-floor flat, coroner says

A pregnant mum died after falling from her dad's flat on the ninth-floor of a tower block, an opening into her inquest has heard.

Emma Atkinson died after falling 90 feet from the Shakespeare Towers, in Burmantofts, Leeds, last Tuesday. The 38-year-old suffered 'multiple injuries' in the fall.

Her baby, who has been named Posie, was miraculously delivered safely in hospital. The 'little fighter' was said to have been in critical care, but her family said she is now 'doing well'.

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Today (October 30), an inquest opening at Wakefield heard the mum-of-five was identified by her father David Atkinson, who she was visiting at the time. Area Coroner Oliver Longstaff said: "It appears Emma Atkinson died on October 22 2024 at Leeds General Infirmary where she had been brought, having fallen from her father’s flat on the ninth floor below to the ground beneath."

The coroner said she was declared dead at 12pm on October 22. An inquest into Emma's death will be required, with a date to be fixed.

Mr Longstaff added: "I would like to take this opportunity to express to Ms Atkinson’s family and friends my sincere condolences upon their loss."

West Yorkshire Police previously confirmed Emma was in the late stages of pregnancy and her baby was delivered at hospital, where she was receiving critical care. An online fundraising page set up following the tragedy raised more than £6,000 in a week.

Emma's family said previously they believed she died in a freak accident. Her aunt and uncle, Ken and Rita Hanlan, said she was visiting her father at his flat when she leaned out of the window to smoke a cigarette.

She is then said to have tragically plunged from the window. Her family said investigators are looking into whether she opened the lounge window fully and leaned too far, with her father being unable to stop the fall.

Offering an update on Posie, Rita said: "Little Posie is feeding now, she is taking milk, which has been a great relief. She had an internal bleed but that is clearing now.

"She has a fracture to her leg and they are going to splint that sometime next week. She is the one good thing that has come out of this tragedy. She is such a little fighter, she was only 4lbs when she was delivered but she's doing well, which is amazing."

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