A British woman traveling alone in Australia tragically lost her life after being crushed by her van during a tropical cyclone, a coroner’s inquest revealed.
Eleanor Thompson, also known as Ellie, was discovered under her vehicle in Burringbar, New South Wales, in March of this year. The 35-year-old, originally from Mold in north Wales, had resided in London for 12 years, where she held various roles in insurance, marketing, and events for companies such as Apple TV and the Groucho Club.
In 2022, she embarked on a solo journey to Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, eventually making her way to Australia in 2023, where she started converting a van. Her father, Peter Thompson, described her as someone who made everyone feel acknowledged and appreciated, stating that her life was characterized by adventure and movement.
At the time of her passing, Ellie was working at a pub in Mullabimby, New South Wales, and housesitting for a friend in Burringbar. A police report provided by North East Wales coroner John Gittins highlighted the significant impact of the severe tropical cyclone named Alfred in the region around the time of Ellie’s death.
The cyclone, which lasted from February 22 to March 8, continued to affect the area until March 11, when Ellie’s body was found. Concerns arose when she missed her work shift on March 10, prompting friends to visit the house where she was staying and discover her van lodged in vegetation off the driveway, with Ellie underneath it.
The post-mortem examination revealed that Ellie’s cause of death was multiple injuries. Authorities in Australia suggested that the vehicle might have rolled or slid due to the slope or adverse weather conditions, possibly exacerbated by a failure to engage the handbrake.
During the inquest, Mr. Thompson expressed the family’s confusion about why Ellie was in front of her vehicle when the incident occurred. The family believed she had passed away on March 8, as she had not been in contact with anyone since that day.
After ruling the death as accidental, Mr. Gittins commended Ellie’s family for their presence at the inquest, acknowledging their pride. Mrs. Thompson expressed gratitude for the support received from social media, friends, and attendees at Ellie’s funeral, finding solace in the outpouring of tributes.
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