TRIBUTES have been paid to a "much-loved" Stourport woman who died after falling into a canal. 

The woman, named locally as Jane Elizabeth Matthews, was in a critical condition after being rescued from the canal in Stourport on Tuesday (August 16), and later died in hospital. 

Messages of condolence have been shared in tribute to Jane, who was in her 50s. 

A friend of the late Stourport resident said: "She was much-loved in Stourport and everybody's thinking about her. 

"Thoughts and wishes are with her family. She was loved by a lot of people". 

One social media user said: "Such very sad news, condolences to all her family and friends".

Another said: "RIP So heartbreaking. You will be so missed". 

West Mercia Police have said they are not treating her death as suspicious. 

Another woman was rescued from the canal and sustained injuries, but she did not require treatment.

A spokesperson for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "We were called at 11.05 pm to reports of persons in the water near Mart Lane, Stourport on Severn.

“One ambulance, two paramedic officers, a Critical Care Car from Midlands Air Ambulance and the Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) attended the scene.

"Upon arrival, we found two women who were rescued from the water by the fire service. The first was in a critical condition.

"She received advanced life support from ambulance staff at the scene. She was conveyed to Worcester Royal Hospital.

“The second woman had sustained injuries not believed to be serious and did not require treatment."