The heavily pregnant woman who plunged to her death from a 17-storey tower block has been pictured today and named locally as Emma Atkinson.
Last night a small bunch of flowers was seen resting against a bollard outside Shakespeare Towers, in Burmantofts, Leeds, in tribute to the young mother who was weeks away from expecting her fifth child.
Paramedics tried to save Emma’s life after she fell yesterday morning, but she was pronounced dead at the scene. It is not known from which floor she fell.
Her baby was later delivered in hospital and is currently under ‘critical care’.
Heartfelt tributes from heartbroken friends and family have flooded social media in memory of the ‘beautiful’ mother, who was in her 30s.
Emma’s daughter posted an emotional tribute to her mother as she wrote: ‘I need you so much mummy, please come home. I just want to kiss you and hear your voice. I love you more than life, Mom.”
Officers say there are “no suspicious circumstances” related to her death.
Heartfelt tributes from heartbroken friends and family have flooded social media in tribute to ‘beautiful’ mum-of-five Emma Atkinson
The young mother was weeks away from giving birth. The baby was delivered to hospital after her death and is currently in ‘critical care’
Last month, a beaming Emma posted a photo on her Facebook page of herself posing in front of the mirror and proudly showing off her bump.
Close friend Dylan Connolly described her as the “crazy friend we all needed” and said: “You were way too good for this life.”
Zoe White said she was ‘broke’ and ‘couldn’t believe it’ when she heard of Emma’s death.
She wrote, “Oh my heart, I can’t believe it, I’ve been in denial all day, I’m broke, one of the best, I honestly can’t put into words the pain in my heart for you and your kids , it’s just devastating,” they wrote.
“My girl, you are truly loved, rest in peace beautiful xxxxxxxxxx.”
Childhood friend Roxy Rooks said the news was “just devastating beyond words.”
A shocked resident living on the 14th floor told how he heard a ‘thud’ followed by screams.
He told the BBC: ‘It’s a shock for everyone, for the whole community.’
Wakefield Coroner’s Court has confirmed it has received a file relating to Emma’s death.
Labor councilor Luke Farley of Leeds City Council described the incident as ‘very distressing’ and said the area was home to a number of young families.
He said: ‘I would also like to reassure residents that there will be a police presence in the coming day.’
The Shakespeare Towers in Burmantofts, Leeds, built in the 1960s, is owned by Leeds City Council and has recently been renovated
Councilor Asghar Khan added that he was “so saddened to hear this shocking news.”
A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said yesterday: ‘At 10.24am today, police were contacted by the ambulance service who were called to an incident involving a woman who had fallen from height at Shakespeare Towers, in Shakespeare Approach, Burmantofts.
‘The woman died on the spot from her injuries.
“There were no suspicious circumstances and the coroner’s office has been notified.
“The woman, in her 30s, was in the late stages of pregnancy and her baby was delivered in hospital following the incident and is receiving critical care.”
Built in the 1960s, the flats are owned by Leeds City Council and have recently been renovated.
Leeds City Council declined to comment and said it was referring all requests to the police.