TRIBUTES have been paid to a woman who died in hospital following an A12 crash.Nicola Payne, 32, was a front seat passenger in a green Ford Focus on the Ipswich-bound carriageway of the A12 when the vehicle left the carriageway and collided with a tree shortly before Stratford St Mary last Sunday.

TRIBUTES have been paid to a woman who died in hospital following an A12 crash.

Nicola Payne, 32, was a front seat passenger in a green Ford Focus on the Ipswich-bound carriageway of the A12 when the vehicle left the carriageway and collided with a tree shortly before Stratford St Mary last Sunday.

Mrs Payne, born Nicola Wheeler-James, was born and raised in Boreham, near Chelmsford in Essex.

She had a keen interest in travel, and, after initially working as a care assistant she moved into the travel business working for Co-op Travel in Chelmsford, and later at Wickford where she became a manager.

In 2006 she married James who was at that time in the Royal Navy. They moved to Sandover Close, Kings Lynn later that year.

At the time of her death she was working from home as a travel counsellor. Her job involved her visiting holiday destinations and assessing them.

As well as leaving her husband, she also leaves her parents Neil and Carol, and her older sister Sara.

A statement issued by Mrs Payne's parents said: “Nicola achieved a lot in her short life, both at work and in her personal life.

“Nicola was a loving wife, daughter, and sister. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her”

Road police officers from the Stanway Traffic Unit in Colchester are investigating the crash and have appealed for any motorists who saw the vehicle to contact them on 01206 762512.