The woman who died has been named locally as Emma Acko.

Unborn baby girl is saved after 'beautiful' heavily pregnant mum is killed in 17 storey tower block fall

23 Oct 2024, 11:52 by Liam Doyle · Irish Mirror

A heavily pregnant woman who tragically fell 17 storeys from a Leeds tower block has been identified locally, with neighbours remembering her as a "beautiful soul". Mum Emma Acko "fell from a height" on Tuesday morning, according to a statement from West Yorkshire Police, who also confirmed that her unborn child was rescued and taken to hospital, where it remains in a critical condition.

Tributes have been flooding in since she was named, including from her cousin, on social media. Sarah Whapham posted on Facebook: "A call I was not expecting this morning has left us in complete shock. Emma you had the biggest personality and the biggest heart. My beautiful cousin rest peacefully."

Megan Moore also paid tribute to the "beautiful lady", writing: "Rest in peace you beautiful lady. I cannot believe I'm actually writing this. Always a beautiful soul in and out...Thinking of your children at home and praying for your baby girl in hospital will be okay. Another woman posting on Facebook said: " Another woman expressed her devastation on Facebook, saying: "Absolutely devastating news today, I can't believe it, been sat crying all afternoon."

She added: "Sending love n hugs to everyone at this sad time RIP Emma Acko."

Another person wrote: "Rest in peace Emma Acko my heart is breaking for everyone will always remember your bubbly self.", reports the Mirror.

And one man said: "Rest In Peace Emma Acko ... you were and still always will be an amazing woman no matter what we always had a proper good laugh and good times together."

Another mate posted: "Emma Acko oh my heart I can't believe it I've been in denial all day, I am 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."

A new-born baby is in critical condition after their mother fell from a tower block.

One pal added: "RIP Emma Acko a beautiful soul gone far too soon...thinking of your children and family at this sad time...sleep tight sweet girl.

"I'll cherish the memories sleep tight."

Locally councillor Luke Farley released a statement describing the event as "deeply distressing" and conveyed that he and his Labour colleagues "pass on our sincere condolences to the loved ones of the person who has died". Officers from West Yorkshire Police mentioned in an earlier statement today that they were summoned to Burmantofts at about 10.30am on Tuesday by paramedics, clarifying that there was nothing "suspicious" about the death.

The police said: "At 10.24am today, 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."

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