A GRANDMOTHER died after she ‘appeared to jump’ from a footbridge over the M65 yesterday.

Rosemary Carr, 80, suffered serious injuries and died at the scene at Junction 13 shortly after 8am.

No vehicles were involved, police said.

Police closed the motorway up to the Boundary Mill roundabout at Colne for an hour and a half.

Mrs Carr, who lived in Ashfield Close, Barrowford, was taken to Burnley General Hospital after an air ambulance, which landed on the motorway, was not needed.

The police are not treating it as suspicious and are appealing for witnesses.

The former weaver leaves a son Paul and daughter Barbara. She also leaves grandchildren.

Her family in Barrowford were too upset to speak yesterday.

Neighbour and long-term family friend Anne Mullarkey, 72, said: “She was a lovely bubbly person. I’ve known Rosemary for 46 years since I moved to the street and everyone in the street is shocked by this.

“She was very fit for an 80-year-old and she used to walk up to Morrison’s with her husband Harry and then get a taxi back whenever they needed to go to the shops.

“She was married to Harry for 60 years and she used to be a weaver.

“She absolutely loved to garden and I think that was when she was happiest.

“It’s so tragic and I can’t believe that this has happened.”

Barrowford Parish councillor Sue Nike said: “It’s tragic. It’s very sad not only for the family but also for those on the motorway at the time who witnessed this.

“The bridge is used quite a lot at that time of day by students going to and from the college.

“The fences on either side are high and difficult to climb. I don’t know what else could be done to make it safer.”

Sgt Tracey Ward, from the Road Policing Unit, said: “I would like to offer my condolences to the family of this lady.

“We have a specially trained officer who is providing support to them at this difficult time.

“I would appeal for anyone who saw what happened to get in touch with the police so that we can establish exactly what has happened.”