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Woman killed in Australia storm while travelling

Eleri Griffiths
BBC News
Getty Images A picture of workers fixing electricity wires next to a tree uprooted by strong winds from Cyclone Alfred in the suburb of Elanora on the Gold Coast on March 8, 2025.Getty Images
Eleanor Thompson, 35, from Flintshire, was travelling alone in her campervan when the storm struck

A woman from Wales who was travelling across Australia in a campervan died after being hit by powerful winds in a storm, an inquest opening has heard.

Eleanor Thompson, a 35-year-old hospitality worker from Mold, Flintshire, was in Burringbar, New South Wales, when Storm Alfred broke on 8 March.

Senior coroner for north Wales, east and central, John Gittins, said the hypothesis was that Ms Thompson left her van, which then rolled over and injured her.

A post-mortem examination held in Australia gave the cause of death as "multiple injuries" and Mr Gittins said the full inquest could be delayed by further inquiries that were needed.

Mr Gittins was told by Ms Thompson's father that she was in a remote area, likely seeking shelter, after authorities warned people to stay indoors for safety.

Storm Alfred left 290,000 homes without power, with many rescued from floodwaters, while winds reached 50mph (85km/h).