POLICE have named the woman who plunged to her death from a bridge over a busy Hampshire commuter route.

Voluntary worker Rebecca Mae Wheeler, 41, from the Ringwood area, fell onto the A31 at Poulner Hill just after 4.30am yesterday.

She was divorced and lived alone, police said.

Part of the road was closed for eight hours yesterday after Ms Wheeler climbed over railings and fell into the path on oncoming cars.

She is thought to have been struck by several vehicles and died at the scene.

The eastbound carriageway remained closed until 12.30pm.

Insp Kirsty Shannon, of the roads policing unit at Totton police station, said: “This appears to be a very tragic incident."

The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms Wheeler's death is continuing.

Police said she was wearing slippers and pyjamas, a white V-neck jumper with a Pringle-type pattern and a blue jumper.

Anyone with information should ring Hampshire Police on 101 and ask to speak to officers involved in Operation Broxton.