Warning: Distressing content
Emma Atkinson was 35 weeks pregnant when she fell from a 10th-floor apartment in Leeds. The 27 metre fall killed the mother-to-be, leaving doctors scrambling to deliver and save her unborn baby.
Incredibly, baby Posie was born alive five weeks premature and is in critical care with a fractured leg. She’s been hailed a “little fighter” by her siblings and surviving family members.
What happened to Emma Atkinson?
Emma, 38, was excited to be welcoming her fifth baby, who she had named Posie a few weeks before her tragic death. Emma’s older daughter, Demi, 17, was also expecting, and Emma was excited to become a grandmother as well.
On the night of her death, Emma was visiting her father at the Shakespeare Towers block in Leeds, UK. According to reports, Emma was leaning out of the window for a cigarette when she fell from the 10th-story window. She fell 27 metres (90 feet) and died at the scene as a result of her injuries.
West Yorkshire Police have stated:
“Police were contacted on Tuesday at 10.24 by the ambulance service who had been called to an incident where a woman had fallen from height at Shakespeare Towers.”
There were no suspicious circumstances, and the Coroner’s Office has been informed. However, there have been reports that Emma may have taken her own life.
No reason to take her own life
Emma’s aunt and uncle, Ken and Rita Hanlan, told media outlets that the tragic accident had left them devastated but that Emma had no reason to take her own life.
“Her father said she opened the window to have a smoke and fell out. He insists it was an accident. She wasn’t depressed. She had no reason to take her own life. She was excited about her future.”
Emma, whose other children range in age from 19 to two, had recently found love with Michael Swanson, 33, who is Posie’s father. Michael has served a seven-year prison sentence for burglary but vowed to put his past behind him.
He is now coming to terms with being a new father while grieving the loss of his partner.
How is baby Posie?
Posie remains in the hospital and is improving daily. Emma’s aunt shared with Daily Mail,
“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.”
Five butterflies for five babies
Emma’s family, including her daughter, Demi, shared messages of love and heartbreak via social media as they came to terms with Emma’s unexpected death and the arrival of Posie.
“Our perfect beautiful poise [sic] fighting for her mummy,” Demi wrote alongside a photo of Posie is hospital. “The last bit of our mama to treasure forever she’s gunna [sic] do this for you mum.”
In another post, Demi shared videos of balloons and butterflies where Emma died.
“You was so loved mum I just wish you knew that. 5 butterflies for the 5 baby’s [sic] you left behind. We all love you so much mum.”
Emma’s death comes just weeks after Liam Payne also died from falling from an apartment in Argentina.
