A WOMAN who caused severe delays and distress to motorists by attempting to jump off a motorway bridge appeared before magistrates in Kendal.

Melanie Jane Tyson, 40, of Croft Close, Ingleton, attempted suicide from the bridge at junction 36 on the M6, near Crooklands, four times between February 13 and July 13.

On each occasion, police, fire crews and paramedics attended the scene and both lanes of the motorway had to be closed.

Prosecuting, Lisa O’ Loughlin described how Tyson sat on the railings with her legs dangling over the motorway, adding: “This caused great concern to passing motorists who were scared she was going to jump.”

Mitigating, Rachel Broughton said Tyson, who suffers from depression, had been struggling to cope since the death of her husband three years ago.

“She is extremely remorseful for the inconvenience and the cost involved in a multi-agency approach,” she said. “Since the death of her husband she has experienced a huge lack of support from anybody really and has suffered from post-traumatic stress.”

The court heard how Tyson was sectioned after each suicide attempt but was deemed fit enough to return home.

Miss Broughton said Tyson had been unable to connect with healthcare professionals and felt extremely isolated, adding: “In her own words she is just looking for someone to talk to and she hasn’t been able to find that in her search so far.”

Tyson pleaded guilty to causing a nuisance to the public and proceedings were adjourned until August 4 for pre-sentence reports.