A WOMAN driver who had just escaped a motorway crash with minor injuries was killed when she got out of her car and walked into the path of another vehicle on the opposite carriageway, an inquest told.

Mother-of-two Jane Margaret Stanhope, 38, of Brooksbottoms Close, Ramsbottom, had left home for work and was travelling in her Nissan Micra on the westbound carriageway of the M62 at Castleton, Rochdale, on January 29 when her car was in collision with another vehicle.

Her car is believed to have skidded across the motorway, eventually hitting the central barrier.

PC Geoffrey Ward told Bury District Coroner Barrie Williams that it appeared Mrs Stanhope had sustained minor injuries and had stepped into the third lane of the eastbound carriageway, where she was struck by a Vauxhall Nova.

Mrs Stanhope, a customer services adviser, was taken to Rochdale Infirmary but pronounced dead on arrival.

Mr Williams adjourned the hearing pending the outcome of police inquiries.

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