Off-duty doctor battled to save pregnant woman and her unborn baby

A hero off-duty doctor battled to save a heavily pregnant mother who plunged 90ft to her death from a tower block.

Nana Larbi, 33, rushed downstairs to try and save her neighbour Emma Atkinson's life who had plunged from the ninth floor of Shakespeare Towers in Leeds on Tuesday morning. 

The Leeds General Infirmary doctor provided vital first aid and CPR but Emma was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Mrs Larbu has been left shaken by the tragedy but said: 'I just did what I could.' 

Just days before her death Emma was pictured in high spirits at a gender reveal party held by her daughter Demi, 18, on Sunday.

On Facebook, distraught Demi revealed how her mother had been 'over the moon' to become a grandmother to her baby son, due in April.

Posting images from a gender reveal party held with partner Alfie Milburn, Demi wrote: 'You was over the moon to be a nana.

'I can't believe I have to do it all without you, mum. I promise I'm going to do everything I can for you to make you proud and make sure [your] boys are okay.

'I need you so much mum, please come home. I just wanna kiss you and hear your voice. I love you more than life mum.'

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The miracle newborn who survived after mother fell 90ft to her death from tenth floor tower block

Emma, in her mid-30s, was tragically pronounced dead at the scene on Shakespeare Approach in the Burmantofts area of the city.

Her baby miraculously survived the fall and was delivered in hospital, five-weeks premature, and is continuing to receive critical care. 

Israel Larbi, 37, told how his wife Nana was left shaken by the tragedy.

Mr Larbi, who lives in the flat next door to the one from which Emma fell, said: 'She's a doctor. She was at home when it happened. She heard a noise on the corridor - a lot of shouting. She looked through the doorhole and saw the man who lives next door.

'He was pressing for the lift. She opened the door and he told her that his daughter had fallen.

'So she went in the lift to join him downstairs. She went down to assist with the CPR with the medics.

'She's not taken it too well. The whole thing has been traumatising for her. She called me today to say she needed to come home from work.'

Arriving home from work, Dr Larbi said she was too shaken to relive the tragedy, but modestly added: 'I just did what I could'.

Emma's miracle baby was safely delivered in hospital with Demi posting pictures of the tot - named Posie - in a hospital bed.

Little Posie is seen with tubes in her mouth and nose as her Demi lovingly places her hand on her chest.

She wrote: 'Our perfect beautiful Posie fighting for her mummy

'The last bit of our mama to treasure forever. She's going to do this for you, mum.'

Last night, Demi joined family and friends to release balloons in memory of her mother from outside the high-rise.

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Posting a video of the release, she wrote: 'You was so loved mum I just wish you knew that.

'Five butterflies for the five babies you left behind. We all love you so much mum x.'

More than £3,000 has since been raised in less than 24 hours for Emma's children. 

The organiser of the page wrote: 'Yesterday morning we received the worst news that our beautiful friend Emma had sadly passed away.

'Emma had the biggest heart and would of done anything to help anyone.

'Left behind are her 5 heartbroken children... Reaching out with the heaviest heart to ask for some help in easing the financial burden and stress of this horrific situation so that her children and family can have some time to grieve.'

In a string of emotional posts to her 'beyond perfect' mother, Demi added: 'If love could have saved you mama, you would have lived a lifetime.'

'God, you were so special, beyond perfect. I need you back, mama. Your boys needs you, we all need you.'

Residents in the high-rise told of their shock at the death and questioned why the windows had safety catches that could be over-ridden, allowing them to be opened more widely.

Dave Capper, 66, who has lived at Shakespeare Towers for 26 years, said there had been a previous death from height at the complex.

He said: 'The windows do have safety features on them. You can only open them so far. But there's a little catch you can press in and they will open to halfway.

'You'd have to be a small person but you could get out. It's not very safe, really.

'It's not the first time someone has fallen from a window here about five or six years ago.

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Newborn baby fighting for its life after heavily pregnant woman plunges to her death

'I didn't know Emma personally but it is tragic.'

Tributes continued to be laid outside the high-rise, including a poignant message from her grieving daughter, Demi.

She wrote: 'Rest in paradise mama. You were one of a kind. I miss you more than anything already, too perfect for this world.

'I love you forever. Love your girl.'

Another note from a friend added: 'My Em. You was definitely too perfect for this world.

'I promise I'll always make your sure babies are ok and looked after. I miss you so much'.

Another card read: 'If only your new [sic] how much you was loved.'

One pal arriving to lay flowers described Emma as 'bubbly', 'outgoing' and 'a friend to everyone'.

She said: 'She lit up a room. She always bounced in and bounced back out.

'She loved her kids, absolutely. It's just tragic.

'It is a miracle that her baby survived. She's obviously strong like her mum has been all her life.'

Emma's final Facebook post, from a month ago, sees her posing in front of a mirror showing off her baby bump, while a child hugs her legs.

She confirmed in the comments that she was due in 10 weeks at the time.

She wrote: 'It's a girl, couldn't be happier.'

Police said there were 'no suspicious circumstances' in Emma's death.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: 'At 10.24am, police were contacted by the ambulance service who had been called to an incident where a woman had fallen from height at Shakespeare Towers, in Shakespeare Approach, Burmantofts.

'The woman died at the scene as result of her injuries.

'There were no suspicious circumstances and the Coroner's Office has been informed.

'The woman, aged in her thirties, was in the late stage of pregnancy and her baby was delivered at hospital after the incident and is receiving critical care.'

Wakefield coroner's court confirmed it has received a file in relation to Emma's death.

Leeds city council Labour councillor Luke Farley described the incident as 'deeply distressing' and said the area was home to a number of young families.

He said: 'I also want to reassure residents that there will be a police presence there over the next day or so.'

Councillor Asghar Khan added that he 'was so saddened to hear this shocking news'.