Urgent warning issued over motorway bridge after tragedy

A coroner has urged for action to be taken over the height of barriers on a motorway footbridge after a woman's death.

Michael Pemberton has written to National Highways and Salford Council after an inquest into the death in Salford in May of 52 year-old Emma Victoria Harper.

The Coroners and Justice Act 2009 gives coroners the opportunity to make reports to a person, organisation, local authority or Government department or agency where they believe action should be taken to prevent future deaths. Coroner Mr Pemberton's report has now been published. In it, he said there was a risk future deaths could occur unless action is taken.

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Ms Harper was said to have a 'complex mental health history' with examples referenced in the report of admissions to Salford Royal Hospital. Before her death, she had been accepted by a mental health treatment team and daily visits to her home were being arranged together with a care plan being drawn up.

But the report reveals Ms Harper left home on May 3 and in the early hours of May 4, she was seen on CCTV walking towards a bridge over the M602 in Salford. She was subsequently found after falling onto a crash barrier at the side of the motorway and was sadly pronounced dead at 6.40am.

Mr Pemberton, assistant coroner for Manchester West, wrote: "On the balance of probabilities, the deceased fell from the footbridge above having intended to do so to take her own life. The injuries she sustained in the fall caused her death." He recorded a conclusion of suicide.

But Mr Pemberton said the inquest into her death heard evidence to suggest the height of the barriers on the bridge hadn't been 'considered for amendments' as other had.

He said in the report: "Other bridges in the locality were considered and selected for an increase in the height of the barrier or other works to prevent the risk of falling from the bridge onto the M602 motorway.

"It was unclear on what basis the foot bridge that the deceased fell from has been excluded from such works and there is a risk that this bridge may still be accessed by people who may be at risk of falling as an alternative to other bridges were works had been undertaken in the locality."

The coroner urged National Highways and the council to take action 'to prevent further deaths'. Both have 56 days in which to respond. No further information was revealed.

A National Highways spokesperson said: "Our deepest sympathies remain with the family and friends of those involved. Safety is National Highway's top priority, and any death on our roads is one too many. We will carefully review the coroner's comments and respond by the deadline given."

A Salford City Council spokesperson said: "We would like to express our deep sympathies with the family and friends of Ms Harper at this difficult time. We will carefully review and consider the coroner's report.

"There is a wide range of support for people experiencing mental health issues and suicidal thoughts. Information about this can be found on our mental health advice web pages at: https://www.partnersinsalford.org/salford-health-and-wellbeing-board/mental-health-and-wellbeing/"