Baby Posie, who miraculously survived after her mother Emma Atkinson tragically fell from a 90ft tower in Leeds, has been lovingly pictured in hospital with her older sister Demi by her side. While the family chose not to release the photo, the image shows Demi gently placing her hands on baby Posie, who remains in critical care, surrounded by life-saving tubes.
Posie was born five weeks premature after her mother’s fatal fall from the 10th floor of Shakespeare Towers in Burmantofts. Emma, known as “Emma Acko” to her friends and family, had recently shared a heartwarming post on Facebookexpressing her joy at her pregnancy. Alongside a mirror selfie cradling her baby bump, she wrote: “It’s a girl, I couldn’t be happier.”
According The times, Friends and family gathered to pay tribute to Emma at the scene of the tragedy, where flowers were laid in her memory. Her close friend, Martyne Taiwo, knelt near the flower arrangement and spoke through tears about their bond. “She helped me through my darkest moments,” Martyne shared. “We had been inseparable since we were young. I never believed she would do something like that. “I just don’t understand it.”
The tragedy has caused great pain on social networks. Emma’s cousin Sarah Whapham expressed her surprise, writing: “Emma, you had the biggest personality and the biggest heart. My beautiful cousin, rest in peace.” Another tribute from Megan Moore read: “Rest in peace, beautiful lady. I can’t believe I’m writing this. Thinking about your children at home and praying for your baby in the hospital will be fine.”
Responding to the tragedy, local councilor Luke Farley called the incident “deeply distressing” and expressed his condolences on behalf of the community. West Yorkshire Police confirmed they were called to the scene by the ambulance service at around 10.30am on Tuesday. A statement from the force said: “At 10.24am today the ambulance service contacted police… where a woman had fallen from a height at Shakespeare Towers… The woman died at the scene as a result of her injuries. .
“There were no suspicious circumstances and the Coroner’s Office has been informed.” Emma, who was in her thirties and in the final stages of her pregnancy, leaves a legacy of love and resilience, with family and friends united around her surviving children and baby Posie, who continues to fight for her life in the hospital.