A WOMAN who had an argument with her partner after a day out in Blackpool seeking work died after running into the path of a car on the M55.

An inquest heard that Tracy Wilding, 41, from Bury Fold Lane, Darwen, was in a distressed state after a confrontation with some acquaintances in a Blackpool pub and falling out with her partner, Charles Bates, 47, of Blackpool Street, Church.

As Mr Bates was driving her home along the M55 on March 1 this year, Ms Wilding tried to grab the steering wheel and open the passenger car door.

Mr Bates told how he pulled the car on to the hard shoulder and physically restrained his partner so she could not escape. But when he loosened his grip she appeared to calm down. Then Ms Wilding leapt from the car and ran off into the darkness of the unlit M55, near to the Kirkham junction.

In a statement read out in court, Mr Bates said: "I shouted after her to comeback and stop behaving stupidly."

Mr Bates then drove down the M55, intending to turn around at the next junction and resume his search for Ms Wilding. But he missed the turning and, thinking that Ms Wilding had probably got a lift from another driver, carried on with his journey home. He said that in his own mind, he felt that Tracy was safe. But later that evening, he learnt the full consequences of Tracy's actions. He added: "I got a phone call from the police to say that Tracy had been involved in an accident."

She died in Royal Preston Hospital at 1.15am on March 2.

The car which collided with Ms Wilding was being driven by Kathryn Seymour, from Bury.

She had collected her grandmother, Annie Webster, from her daughter's house in Blackpool and was driving her home to Greater Manchester when the accident happened. Miss Seymour's son, Craig, was in the back of the car at the time.

Fylde coroner Anne Hind, commended Norman Fox and former police officer Geoffrey de Pear for stopping and helping deal with the situation as they drove down the M55.

They moved Miss Seymour's car from the fast lane of the motorway to prevent further collisions, called the emergency services and dealt with the casualties.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Mrs Hind passed on her condolences to Ms Wilding's family. She said: "I think she must have been overwrought to embark on such a hazardous journey. It is very sad for Mr Bates, who lost the woman he planned to marry.

"Miss Seymour found herself in the middle of every driver's nightmare. Her grandmother was injured and her son suffered shock and upset and we hope they all recover, given time."