A tragic incident unfolded as a pregnant woman, Emma Atkinson, fell from a 10-story building, uttering “I’m off” before the plunge, yet her baby survived. An investigation revealed that Emma, a mother of five, deliberately pushed herself out of the window, but the coroner suggested she may not have intended to end her life.
The dramatic event took place at Shakespeare Towers in Leeds on October 22, 2024. Emma, who was over seven months pregnant, visited her father on the ninth floor before the fateful incident. Her father recounted that she sat by the window, removed the safety catches, and opened it fully, apparently seeking fresh air despite the cold weather.
Shortly after her father’s concerns, Emma unexpectedly declared, “I’m off,” before falling out of the window. She tragically did not survive the fall, but emergency services managed to deliver her baby through a Caesarean section at Leeds General Infirmary. The police investigation confirmed no foul play in Emma’s death.
The coroner, Naomi McLoughlin, noted Emma’s past struggles with mental health and concerns over a possible court sentence, yet her family emphasized her excitement about her upcoming children. The coroner concluded that while Emma’s actions were deliberate, her exact intentions remained unclear. Despite the tragic circumstances, Emma was described as a beloved individual by those who knew her.
