NZ Tube bomb victim named

Shelley Mather was 'a bubbly young girl with a very positive outlook on life', said a former colleague.

Shelley Marie Mather should have been sunning herself today under the Greek summer sun.

Instead, her parents, John Mather and Kathryn Gilkison, are keeping vigil in London, waiting for news that their 26-year-old daughter's body has been identified among those recovered from the bowels of the city's Underground system.

Ms Mather was one of the 54 people who died as a result of last week's suicide bombings and the only New Zealander.

The young woman lived with her mother in Auckland for at least four years, and had been living in London for the past three years.

She has dual Irish and New Zealand passports but her family are being assisted by the New Zealand authorities in London.

Ms Mather was planning a holiday in Greece, after which she was understood to be heading home to New Zealand for a break.

She is thought to have boarded a Piccadilly Line train on her way to work just before the bombings and has made no contact with friends or family since.

Her friends alerted family after being unable to contact Ms Mather last Thursday.

Her parents flew from New Zealand to London on Sunday, and have been looked after by New Zealand High Commission staff in the city.

A statement issued on their behalf by High Commissioner Jonathan Hunt said: "Shelley was a beautiful and vibrant girl who was truly loving, caring and giving.

"John and Kathryn are very grateful for the tremendous support they have received over the past few days from family, friends, staff at the High Commission, the Metropolitan Police and many others.

"John and Kathryn feel deeply for Shelley's London flatmates and friends and the others who knew her and who are sharing the indescribable grief.

"They also wish to extend their heartfelt sympathy to other families who have been devastated by the bombings."

Arrangements will be made for a memorial service in New Zealand, with details to be advised.

One of Ms Mather's former colleagues at Ponsonby international banking and finance consultancy Vinstar last night paid tribute to "a bubbly young girl with a very positive outlook on life".

Michael Rose said that during her time as receptionist 'Girl Friday' Ms Mather "really held the office together".

"She was also very streetwise, if that's a way to describe it. She had an incredible knack of getting things done."

"It's terrible to hear this news ... what a waste of a young life."

Although Ms Mather is the only New Zealander caught in the terrorist attacks, fears were also raised for a Kaikoura-based artist, Rio Rossellini.

Her name was on a missing persons list from London but friends and neighbours said last night that she had emailed on Thursday, saying she was fine.

Ms Rossellini is a wildlife photographer and part-time bookshop assistant who is understood to be travelling in Britain and Europe.

The death in hospital yesterday of an Australian man raised the official toll to 54.

Sam Ly, 28, formerly of Melbourne, died of injuries he suffered in the explosion on the No 30 bus. The only Australian fatality, Mr Ly never regained consciousness after the attack in which he suffered serious head injuries.

* Messages of support for Shelley Mather's family can be sent to the New Zealand High Commission in London by email (follow link below), and these will be passed on to the family.

A condolence book will also be available for signing in the main foyer of the High Commission from July 18 to 22.

- additional reporting Anne Beston and agencies