A teenager who tragically fell to her death from a bridge over the A56 in Lancashire has been named as Rachel Collins.
The 17-year-old died at the scene of the tragedy in Haslingden on Monday afternoon.
Rachel, who was from Rawtenstall, was a pupil at Haslingden High School.
Her devastated family released a tribute to the teenager via Lancashire Police.
It read: "Rachel was a beautiful and popular girl who is missed and loved by family and friends."
Floral tributes and messages have been left at the scene.
One read: "You will always be remembered."
Another said: "Fly high with the angels sweetheart."
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A letter was sent to parents Haslingden High School on Tuesday saying that pupils had been spoken to following Rachel's passing.
The following message was also read out to all students.
"It is with great sadness that we are informing you of a tragic incident that occurred yesterday afternoon, which involved one of our sixth form students.
"The sad loss of one of our students will be felt right across our school community.
"In such tragic circumstances people often feel a range of emotions for a variety of personal reasons.
"Should you feel that you need to talk to somebody, then please speak initially to your form tutor. Heads of year will be available in their offices during registration."
Dozens of Rachel's school friends fought back the tears as they stopped to lay flowers and candles.
Mark Jackson, headteacher at Haslingden High School, said: "We were all extremely saddened to hear this news. It has come as a tremendous shock to everyone in school. This has hit us hard and Rachel will be greatly missed.
"Rachel was intelligent and hard-working and had a network of close friends. She contributed hugely to our school community. She firmly believed in equality for everyone and was never a young person who would follow the crowd.
"She was a very keen and talented linguist, and especially loved learning about different cultures and societies.
"We are working with colleagues at Lancashire council so that appropriate support is available to our children and colleagues in school, if this is required.
"All our thoughts are with her family and friends as they come to terms with this very sad loss."
DS Melissa Kelly from Rossendale Police said there were not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding Rachel's death.
She said: "These are tragic circumstances and first and foremost our thoughts are very much with Rachel’s family and friends.
"We do not believe there are any suspicious circumstances surrounding her death and a file will be passed to the coroner in due course."
Anyone who witnessed the incident - and has not yet been spoken to by police - is asked to contact police on 101, quoting log number 674 of October 14.
