Young Kiwi killed in van crash in Indonesia a 'vibrant, free spirit'

Danielle Angus, pictured here on a Year 12 class tourism trip to Rarotonga, died on Thursday when the van she was in went over a cliff and rolled in Indonesia. Photo/ supplied

The 23-year-old Takapuna woman who died in a Contiki van crash is being remembered as a vibrant, friendly, free spirit who loved life.

Danielle Angus, a Contiki staff member, died on Thursday when the van she and seven others were travelling in to a surf beach in South Lombok, Indonesia, went over a cliff, rolling several times.

An old school friend of Angus said the former Rangitoto College student had been interested in tourism and travel since high school.

Chanelle Kirker said she had been in several classes with Angus, including a tourism class in Year 12 which included a class trip to Rarotonga.

"My memories of her, especially from that trip, are of someone vibrant and friendly, always up for a laugh and always welcoming to whoever she met," Kirker told the Herald.

"She always loved life and was a free spirit. Hearing what happened, especially to someone as happy and free as her, is a real shock."

Angus had been holidaying with Contiki at the time of the accident.

Emergency services spent an hour trying to free the occupants from the van which had plunged into a riverbed.

Two other New Zealanders were also in the van, including 29-year-old Christchurch woman Abbey Moore.

Moore was in hospital in Lombok with a dislocated shoulder, a broken wrist and collarbone and suspected broken ribs.

Angus was taken to Lombok International Medical Service, but was "dead on arrival", a service doctor said on Saturday.

Angus' family were now in the process of bringing her body back to New Zealand, a family spokesman told the Herald today.

They were doing "as well as can be expected" in the circumstances.

Director of Contiki NZ Mark Turner said the team in Indonesia were supporting Angus' family as they prepared to bring her home.

"Our heartfelt thoughts continue to be with Danielle's family who are now with her in Bali.

"Danielle worked with us in our Auckland office for three years including the past 18 months working for Contiki.

"She was a very valued and well-liked member of our team and naturally everyone here is deeply saddened at losing a friend and colleague."

Turner said the other two New Zealanders injured continued to receive support and medical attention.

"Both are stable and in touch with their families."