SHOCKED colleagues have paid tribute to a “kind and thoughtful” volunteer worker who died after falling from a bridge over the A31 on Wednesday morning.

Police identified the woman as Rebecca Mae Wheeler, who lived in the Ringwood area.

A spokesperson for Hampshire Police said the 41-year-old was divorced, lived alone and did not have any children.

Ms Wheeler had worked as a volunteer at the Oxfam shop in Southampton Road, Ringwood for the past three years, previously working at a Southampton store before that.

One colleague, who did not want to be named, said: “She should have been here this afternoon – we’re all just devastated.

“She was a lovely person – very intelligent, very thoughtful and very kind, an artistic person as well.”

Ms Wheeler worked two days a week at the charity shop, on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

“We all thought very, very highly of her and are completely shocked and very, very upset.

“She wasn’t someone just to sit around and do nothing and mope.

“She was very close to her parents, who live in Burley, and our thoughts are with them at this time.

“Rebecca was lovely with the customers and so helpful.

“This is just so sad.”

Police were called on Wednesday morning at 4.39am to investigate an incident involving two vehicles.

A woman was seen climbing over bridge railings, police said, and fell on to the eastbound carriageway. Officers believe she was hit by oncoming traffic.

The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident is continuing.

A file is being prepared for the coroner, and an inquest will open in due course.