A 40-YEAR-OLD woman was left with serious injuries after jumping from a motorway bridge yesterday.

Despite efforts from ambulance crews to ‘talk her down’ the woman fell 40ft off the M65 motorway bridge after parking up on the hard shoulder.

Emergency services were called to the scene in Roman Road, Lower Eccleshill, Darwen, at around 11.45am.

Police confirmed she was from Accrington and had been taken to the Royal Preston Hospital by air ambulance with a broken leg and back injuries.

A spokesperson for North West Ambulance said: “We can confirm that the woman was spotted by the non-emergency ambulance crew which stopped and tried to talk her down.

“But she then jumped on to the grass verge below. She was then taken to hospital with serious injuries.”

Roman Road was closed between Blackamoor Road and Johnson Road following the incident.

Chief Superintendent Bob Eastwood said: “The 40-year-old woman had parked her car on the hard shoulder before throwing herself off the motorway bridge at Roman Road.

“She is receiving treatment at hospital after breaking her leg.”