Brit backpacker, 21, was crushed to death when a quad bike she was driving flipped over on Australian beach
Animal lover was due to start university degree in English after returning from gap year abroad working with elephants
A BRITISH backpacker died after the quad bike she was driving crushed her as she rode along a beach in Australia.
Bryony Bonekyn, 21, who was planning to study English Literature at Brighton University, was backpacking around the country in July last year.
She had been volunteering at an elephant sanctuary in Sri Lanka before working in a pub in Coen, Queensland.
She had taken the day off and gone swimming and fishing with friends before they went quadbiking.
Bryony, from Tottenham, North London, was with a group of friends riding along One Mile Beach near Port Stewart when she rode through a stream causing the bike to turn over.
She was pronounced dead at the scene while a 37-year-old male passenger was unharmed.
At the time of her death her dad Bill said: "She's the kind of person people enjoyed talking to and being around. That was because she was bubbly and liked talking to other people.
"But she had serious ideas and views about the world as well.
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"As part of her travels she was recently in Sri Lanka working at an elephant sanctuary for about six weeks. She was volunteering and wanted to help. She loved elephants."
The heartbroken dad added: "It is important that anyone riding these bikes wears a crash helmet and where possible be strapped in because I would hate to see any other family going through what we are.
'These bikes can be lethal. Quad bikes are dangerous and people need to be made aware that even if you're on holiday and go for a ride and there's an accident, there's a fair chance your insurance will not cover you."
Recording a narrative verdict at Bryony's inquest at North London Coroner's Court, senior coroner Dr Andrew Walker said: "Bryony Florence Doris Bonekyn died on July 18, 2015 at One Mile beach near Port Stewart, from multiple injuries she sustained when she drove an ATV vehicle through a stream of water on the beach and lost control causing, it to roll over."
Addressing Bryony's father, Dr Walker added: "I offer my deepest condolences.
"I can't begin to imagine how difficult it must be to lose something in these circumstances."
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