New Zealander Killed , two others Injured in Indonesian Contiki tour crash.

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Rescue workers tried for an hour to free New Zealanders trapped in a van that crashed off an Indonesian cliff and plunged into a riverbed.

An Auckland woman, who worked for Contiki, was killed and two other New Zealanders are seriously injured.

The Contiki van was taking a group of tourists to a surf beach on Thursday when it went over a cliff, rolling several times. The crash happened in south Lombok at 11.26am local time on Thursday.

Lombok International Medical Service's Dr Cahya Dibrata said six passengers had been in the minivan, one of whom died and the other five injured. The Indonesian driver suffered minor injuries.

"The woman died before arriving in the hospital," he said.

Dr Cahya said the injured had been treated and then referred to hospital in Mataram, the capital of the Indonesian province of West Nusa Tenggara.

They had injuries including a possible broken shoulder bone, neck injuries and minor cuts.

Dr. Ari Fathurohmaniah from a local clinic in Pujut in central Lombok said the local who took them to the hospital said the minivan had been in an accident and overturned.

"Our clinic treated 3 of them, a male and female from Las Vegas in USA and a male from New Zealand," she said.
"They were in shock, they were just in an accident, one died, so we didn't asked them anything, just treated their wounds and referred them to hospital in Mataram. They cried too."

The identity of the dead New Zealander has not been released, but the fatality was confirmed by a Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman.

Staff at Bhayangkara Hospital in Mataram said the parents of the deceased woman were now in Lombok and making arrangements to transport her body back home.

Contiki Holidays New Zealand director Mark Turner said the woman who died worked for Contiki, but was holidaying with the company at the time.

"She was also one of our valued colleagues at our Auckland office and naturally we are devastated at losing a friend and colleague," he said.

"We offer our deepest condolences to her family - our heartfelt thoughts are with them."

Turner said five clients, including the two New Zealanders, were injured in the crash and are receiving treatment in hospital.

"Senior company representatives have travelled to Indonesia and are supporting those in hospital to ensure they are receiving the best possible treatment.

They are also providing support to the other clients on the tour."

"Here in New Zealand we are doing everything possible to support families, directly affected clients and our people during this difficult time. This includes having spoken with and providing assistance to our colleague's parents as well as the parents of the two New Zealanders who were injured in the crash."

One of the injured, Abbey Moore from Christchurch, is in a hospital in Bali following the crash, with a broken wrist and collarbone, a dislocated shoulder, and suspected fractured ribs.

The 29-year-old was knocked unconscious during the crash, and suffered lacerations from broken glass.
Her mother Rose McConchie said Moore was only a few days into her first real foreign travel trip when the crash occurred.

"She was really excited about going over there and experiencing different cultures, and was looking forward to seeing a different way of living."

McConchie said she was currently unsure whether Moore would be transported to Bali, or directly to Australia or New Zealand.

She said the Contiki tour company and the New Zealand Consulate had been "really good and supportive" and had done their best to keep her informed.

"I'm in limbo about what I'm doing at the moment because I'm not really sure where they're going to put her in the end, depending on how stable she is."

"She's got a very good friend with her who is a nurse who's her travelling companion, and she's been incredibly supportive and has been keeping me updated all the time which is great."

McConchie, who is a nurse herself, said she was most worried about the extent of the injuries, but thought Moore had been "incredibly lucky to escape more serious injury".

The vehicle was part of a convoy of four travelling to a surf school excursion organised and driven by locals. The three other vehicles were not involved in the crash.

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