A British woman traveling alone met a tragic end when her van accidentally crushed her during a tropical cyclone in Australia. The incident occurred in Burringbar, New South Wales, where Eleanor Thompson, known as Ellie, was found under her vehicle in March. Ellie, 35, originally from Mold, north Wales, had been living in London for 12 years, working in various roles in the insurance, marketing, and events sectors.
In 2022, she embarked on a solo journey to Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam before reaching Australia in 2023, where she began converting a van. Describing her at the inquest held at Ruthin Coroner’s Court, her father Peter Thompson expressed how Ellie had a knack for making everyone feel valued and seen. He reflected on her adventurous spirit and constant motion in life.
At the time of her passing, Ellie was working in a pub in Mullabimby, New South Wales, and was housesitting for a friend in Burringbar. A police report presented at the inquest highlighted the impact of the severe tropical cyclone named Alfred, which lasted from February 22 to March 8. The storm’s effects continued until the morning of March 11, when Ellie’s body was discovered.
On March 8, Ellie sent a message to her mother but was not reported to have spoken to anyone after 1 pm that day. Concern arose when she did not show up for work on March 10, leading friends to visit her house on March 11. There, they found her Mazda van off the driveway, lodged in dense vegetation, with Ellie’s body underneath. The post-mortem examination revealed that she succumbed to multiple injuries.
Authorities in Australia suggested that the vehicle might have rolled or slid due to the terrain’s incline or adverse weather conditions, possibly exacerbated by a failure to engage the handbrake. The family visited the site, questioning why Ellie was in front of the van when it moved forward.
The family believed Ellie passed away on March 8, given her lack of contact thereafter. Her mother expressed how Ellie was aware of their concerns and would have reached out if she could. Following the ruling of accidental death, the coroner commended Ellie’s family for their presence at the inquest, acknowledging their pride.
Mrs. Thompson appreciated the heartfelt tributes from social media, friends, and funeral attendees, emphasizing the comfort they brought during a difficult time.