A BRIT tourist was crushed to death by her van in a cyclone while travelling in Australia, an inquest heard.
Eleanor Thompson, known as Ellie, was discovered under the vehicle in Burringbar, New South Wales, on March 11.
An inquest heard severe tropical cyclone Alfred had hit Australia from February 22 up until March 8 but there were still after-affects.
Ellie, originally from Flintshire in Wales, had messaged her mum Amanda just before midday on March 8.
She also saw a friend but did not speak to anyone else after 1pm that day, Ruthin Coroner’s Court heard.
On March 10, Ellie failed to arrive for her shift at a bar, which prompted friends to visit the house where she had been staying.
The following day, they discovered her Mazda van off the side of the driveway, wedged into overgrown vegetation.
Ellie’s body was tragically found underneath the vehicle and she was confirmed dead shortly after from multiple injuries.
Her family believe she died on March 8, as she had not been in touch with anyone since then.
North East Wales coroner John Gittins said police in Australia believed the van had rolled or slid forward because of the incline of the slope, or inclement weather.
Other factors may have been a failure to apply the handbrake, police said.
Mr Gittens added: said: “Although no causal link can be drawn, it’s of significance at the time of her passing an unprecedented and severe tropical cyclone, Alfred, was impacting the region.”
After recording a verdict of accidental death, the coroner thanked Ellie’s parents and brother Luke for attending the inquest.
He added: “You must be incredibly proud.”
The inquest was told Ellie, originally from Flintshire in Wales, had lived in London for 12 years, where she worked in insurance, marketing and events including for Apple TV and the Groucho Club.
She travelled solo to Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam in 2022 before heading to Australia the following year.
Ellie was converting a van and had promised her dad Peter a road trip later in the year.
Paying tribute, he said: “Ellie’s life was full of adventure and movement.”
