TRIBUTES were paid last night to a mother who died after she was hit by a car while changing a wheel on a slip road to the A12.The family of Victoria Nickels, 33, from Lawford, described her as “happy-go-lucky” and a “free spirit”.

TRIBUTES were paid last night to a mother who died after she was hit by a car while changing a wheel on a slip road to the A12.

The family of Victoria Nickels, 33, from Lawford, described her as “happy-go-lucky” and a “free spirit”.

Ms Nickels, from Waldegrave Way, was on the slip road to the Ipswich-bound track at Marks Tey, changing a wheel on the driver's side when the accident happened at 10.45pm on Wednesday.

She was in collision with a car driven by an 86-year-old local man.

An ambulance spokeswoman said: “Although it's unclear exactly what happened, it's believed that the woman was changing a tyre on her car by the side of the road when she was in collision with another car.

“As a result she suffered multiple, very serious injuries.

“Crews on the scene used advanced life support techniques, but unfortunately due to the nature of her injuries she could not be saved. She was confirmed dead on the scene.”

The elderly driver was uninjured in the collision.

Ms Nickels, known as Tory to friends and family, had a 14-year-old son, Dean, who was last night being cared for by relatives.

Educated in south Essex, she left school at 16 and worked predominantly as a secretary.

A keen artist, she enjoyed painting and drawing and often went to craft fairs to sell works she had created.

She was a member of a Manningtree drama group, the Manifest Theatre, and recently appeared in a production of Oh What a Lovely War. In August she undertook a sponsored parachute jump in Norfolk.

Yesterday her brother Tony, 37, from Basildon, said: “She was a private and independent person who was happy-go-lucky and had a free spirit.

“She was always there to help if it was needed - we are devastated at losing her.”

Ms Nickels also leaves her father, Chris, from Basildon and her mother Pat, from Wickford.

Police are appealing for any witnesses who saw the accident to contact Stanway road policing unit on 01206 762512.