Woman killed when car plunges from bridge into Concord River in Lowell

By Melissa M. Werthmann, Globe Correspondent

A 56-year-old woman was killed when her car went off a bridge and plunged into the Concord River in Lowell this morning, police said.

Police and firefighters responded to the Lawrence Street bridge at 6:08 a.m. and discovered a motor vehicle had smashed through the railing of the bridge and fallen into the river, Lowell Police Captain Kelly Richardson said in a statement.

Police believe the woman, who was later identified as Colleen Luther of Lowell, “hit a Jersey barrier and careened across the street and through the railing,” Richardson said.

Firefighters entered the water in an attempt to rescue Luther, but rescue was difficult because of the cold water temperature and poor visibility, he said.

Firefighters were able to remove Luther from the vehicle, Richardson said. She was transported to Lowell General Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 8:06 a.m.

Luther was the sole occupant of the car, he said.

The accident remains under investigation.