Driver's terror as woman, 81 drove wrong way on M65

11:36am Thursday 27th March 2008

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By Nafeesa Shan »

A MOTORIST has told of her 'truly terrifying experience" as an 81-year-old grandmother drove towards her the wrong way along the M65.

Alison Currie was in the middle lane as Martha Harwood drove past her in the outside lane. As we revealed yesterday, Martha, of Blackburn Road, Darwen, was confused by Whitebirk roundabout and headed up the exit slip road at junction six.

She travelled the wrong way for 15 miles before police pulled her over at junction 13 Barrowford.

The retired florist has told how she realised her mistake but carried on as there was nowhere to turn around'.

Cars swerved, one piled into a crash barrier with its four occupants taken to hospital and the motorway had to be closed for five hours.

Miss Currie was heading back to her home in Feniscowles, Blackb-urn, after a celebratory meal at Carlos Italian restaurant in Colne when she spotted headlights coming towards her on the westbound carriageway.

The 36-year-old transport co-ordinator passed Martha who was driving a Suzuki Ignis, near junction eight at around 10.15pm on Monday.

She said: "We were out celebrating with a friend who had a heart attack 10 years ago and I nearly had one as I was coming down the motorway.

"It was a truly terrifying experience - seeing a car heading straight for you on a motorway.

"I was in the middle lane when I saw headlights coming up.

"At first I thought they were on the other side of the motorway, but then I realised someone was in the fast lane.

"I actually flashed my lights at the oncoming driver, as I'm sure did other motorists.

"Then the car just passed us.

"It was over in seconds.

"It was really scary and I couldn't believe what had happened.

"It is the kind of thing you only see on Road Wars' or Traffic Cops' not on the M65. We were one of the lucky ones as we didn't hit anyone or anything else and it was extremely fortunate that no one was killed.

"I just find it unbelievable that someone would drive all that way in the wrong direction."

Police said that at this stage they did not believe it was in the public interest to prosecute Martha. They have seized her car and may take steps to revoke her driving licence.

Miss Currie added: "Fair do's to the lady for still driving at 81 years of age, but I think there should be further driving tests or some kind of annual testing for old aged pensioners.

"Today's roads are not the safest place to be at the best of times.

"It is truly frightening when you think how much worse it could have been."