Emma Ramsden, 34, from Morley, West Yorkshire, died after being hit by a vehicle on the M621 near Leeds. Her family have paid tribute to her as a “caring” mum-of-two who was found dead on a motorway after leaving her family home without anyone knowing.
Death on the M621
Emma left her home in Morley, West Yorkshire, in the early hours of April 10. A few hours later, police told her family she had entered the motorway just below Asquith Bridge and been hit by a vehicle.
The 34-year-old, who worked as a carer, has been remembered by her loved ones as a mum and friend who could be both quiet and “really bubbly”.
Family tributes
Her sister, Alicia Grailey, said: “She could be quiet but she could be really bubbly and having a joke with people. She was really caring and a really good mum and friend to loads of people.”
Emma's mum, Lisa Ramsden, 57, also described her daughter as "private" and said many people had not known she struggled with her mental health. She said: “She was very bubbly but Emma but very private. A lot of people never knew she suffered with her mental health.”
Campaign for safer motorways
Lisa said Emma had been sectioned at the age of 13 due to an eating disorder. Her family are now campaigning for civilian access points onto motorways to be made more secure.
Alicia hopes to launch a campaign called Safe Before the Motorway, alongside a petition calling for changes, and is seeking support from people locally and across the country. She said: “I'm asking the community and other parts of the country to remember the name Emma Ramsden and her story because Emma had a life before this tragedy.”
Alicia added: “Myself and my family want to try help prevent more suicides happening due to poor infrastructure. Help should always reach people before they reach the motorway. As a community, we can make a huge difference and save lives.”
Lisa said she had believed most motorway access points were already sealed off from members of the public. She added: “Nobody should have access to motorway bridges, and I honestly thought most of them were sealed. There should be campaigns to make it safer on motorway bridges.”
Alicia said the family hopes the campaign can help prevent further deaths and encourage changes to motorway infrastructure.
If you are struggling and need someone to talk to, you can contact Samaritans free at any time on 116 123.
