Baby born after mum fell from Leeds tower block 'critical' - BBC News

Image source, SUPPLIED

A baby born after its mother died falling from a tower block is receiving "critical care", police have said.

The child was delivered after the incident in Leeds at 10:24 BST.

The woman, who West Yorkshire Police said was in the "late stage of pregnancy", died after falling from Shakespeare Towers in the Burmantofts area of the city.

A spokesperson for the force said there were believed to be no suspicious circumstances relating to the death of the woman, who was in her 30s.

Image source, Google

Police said the woman died at the scene as result of her injuries and the coroner had been informed.

Shakespeare Towers is a 17-storey block of flats to the east of the city centre, close to St James's Hospital.

BBC Yorkshire reporter David Spereall, at the scene, said there was no sign of a police cordon or evidence of the earlier incident.

He said a small number people had gone in and out of the flats since he arrived and had stopped to talk, but no-one seemed to know anything about the woman and baby.

Local councillor Luke Farley said the incident was "deeply distressing" and he was "saddened" by the news.

Mr Farley said he wanted to send "condolences to the woman's loved ones".

The Labour councillor said the area was full of young families and the tower block had been refurbished four or five years ago.

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

The flats are owned by Leeds City Council, which has been approached for comment.

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Image source, David Spereall/BBC

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