Kiwi crash victim an arts 'institution'

The last light of the day set on Mount Everest, seen from in the Himalayas' Khumbu region, Nepal. Two New Zealanders are reported to have died in a motorbike accident in the country. Photo / AP

The Wellington woman killed with her new husband in a motorbike crash in Nepal yesterday was an "institution" in Wellington film and arts circles, a friend says.

A local reporter said Carol Louise Davidson, 63, and Christopher Mark Bishop, 58, died instantly when they lost control of their motorbike on the Tribhuvwan Highway at Ranibhanjyang in Makawanpur district.

They had been heading to tourist destination Simbhanjyang from Hetauda when the crash happened about 100km from capital Kathmandu.

New Zealand International Festival of the Arts executive director Sue Paterson told APNZ Ms Davidson had worked at the festival for at least 12 years.

"She was really dearly loved by the staff and also by the Friends of the Festival (group) and everybody who dealt with the festival knew Carol well.

"So she was very much an institution."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has now confirmed the deaths and says it is working to provide consular assistance to the families.

Ms Paterson had seen Ms Davidson a few weeks ago before she left on her trip and said she was "very happy and excited''.

Ms Davidson's first husband, Jim, had died about eight years ago and the couple had an adult daughter, Lisa.

"They were very close, like sisters,'' Ms Paterson said.

"It's just going to be terrible for Lisa.''

Ms Davidson and Mr Bishop had been together for a number of years and it was his passion for motorbikes that sparked her interest. She was always the passenger.

"They used to go off touring on the motorbike quite often, in New Zealand. So she became a fan of them,'' Ms Paterson said.

There was comfort in knowing the couple died doing what they loved and while enjoying a well-deserved honeymoon.

Ms Davidson worked for the New Zealand Film Commission for many years before going to the festival, which she left in late 2008 to go to Radio New Zealand.

She had a "huge passion'' for the arts and remained involved through such networks as Women in Film.

"She was just lovely. Warm and compassionate,'' Ms Paterson said.

"She was a really well-known Wellingtonian.

"She will be really missed by the community here, both the arts and film community.''

Mr Bishop, a self-employed garden landscaper, had two adult sons, Fairfax reported.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was providing consular assistance to the families of the couple.