Fed: WA woman killed in Spain while cycling

AAP General News (Australia)
04-08-2010
Fed: WA woman killed in Spain while cycling

By Andrea Hayward

PERTH, April 8 AAP - A Perth woman killed in Spain when an allegedly drunken van driver
ploughed into a pack of cyclists, was an energetic explorer who lived life to the full,
says her grief-stricken family.

Chanelle Carter, a 34-year-old research scientist, was among a group of 60 cyclists
struck by a van while riding in Tarragona, in Spain's northeast, on Wednesday.

Three other cyclists were reportedly injured in the crash.

Ms Carter died in a Tarragona hospital.

"We have been so lucky to share our lives with a beautiful girl over the last 34 years,"

the family said in a statement in Perth on Thursday.

"Chanelle was an intelligent, energetic and passionate young woman who looked to the
future, living life to the full.

"She loved to travel and explore the world.

"There was always something new she wanted to try and she had an amazing determination
to make her dreams a reality."

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said consular staff from the Australian
embassy in Madrid was helping her family, who had been notified of tragedy by West Australian
police.

Spanish news website El Mundo reported two Swiss nationals were also injured and hospitalised
after the crash.

Local police have charged the 57-year-old alleged van driver with reckless homicide
and injury, alleging he was under the influence of alcohol at about noon when the collision
occurred, the website said.

Oxfam Australia executive director Andrew Hewett said Ms Carter was a strong supporter
of the charity, who dedicated time, money and talent to help poor people around the world.

"Over the years, she participated in a number of Oxfam fundraising events, including
cycling through Laos in 2006," Mr Hewett said.

"She had a particular interest in human rights, indigenous issues and environmental concerns.

"The death of a person like Chanelle is a great loss for so many."

Ms Carter was a senior research scientist in the global technology delivery arm of
Alcoa's refinery at Kwinana, south of Perth.

Alcoa technology vice president Dave Olney said the company was shocked and saddened
by her death. She'd been an employee for more than a decade.

"Chanelle was an incredibly talented scientist, of the highest integrity, and a fantastic
person," Mr Olney said.

"Chanelle was passionate about many things, including cycling, and she would ride to
work most days.

"She genuinely wanted to make a difference in life and channelled a great deal of her
energy into the community."

Alcoa research and development director Ian Harrison said Ms Carter was one of the
most talented people he had ever worked with.

"She was also committed to developing young scientists and was a fantastic mentor to
a number of people both within the business and externally," Dr Harrison said.

Ms Carter completed her honours degree with Alcoa and had spent time working for the
company in the Netherlands and the US.

Her colleagues have been offered counselling through the company's employee assistance program.

AAP ah/dep/it/cdh

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