Thread: Contiki bus full of tourists bound for island getaway falls off cliff

A CONTIKI tour bus bound for the Gili Islands has fallen off a cliff while packed with tourists, leaving at least one person dead and more injured in Indonesia.
The NZ Herald reports a New Zealand national has been killed and two others injured.

The bus was on route to a local surf beach on the Gili Islands when it went over a cliff and rolled several times in south Lombok at 11.26am local time on Thursday.

The name of the dead New Zealander has not been released but a Ministry of Foreign and Trade spokesman has confirmed the death.
Contiki Holidays New Zealand director Mark Turner said the woman who died worked for Contiki, but was holidaying with the company at the time, according to the Sunday Star Times.

“She was also one of our valued colleagues at our Auckland office and naturally we are devastated at losing a friend and colleague,” he said.
“We offer our deepest condolences to her family — our heartfelt thoughts are with them.”

Mr Turner said five clients, including the two New Zealanders, were injured in the crash and were receiving treatment in hospital.
“Senior company representatives have travelled to Indonesia and are supporting those in hospital to ensure they are receiving the best possible treatment. They are also
providing support to the other clients on the tour.

“Here in New Zealand we are doing everything possible to support families, directly affected clients and our people during this difficult time. This includes having spoken with and providing assistance to our colleague’s parents as well as the parents of the two New Zealanders who were injured in the crash.”

Christchurch woman Abbey Moore, 29, was one of those injured in the crash.
She is in hospital in Lombok with a dislocated shoulder, a broken wrist and collarbone and suspected broken ribs.

Her mother Rose McConchie told the NZ Herald she spoke to her daughter over the phone yesterday and was relieved she wasn’t more seriously injured or killed.

“It seems like she was very lucky to have escaped with the injuries she has,” Ms McConchie said.
“She was very lucky she wasn’t killed.”

Abbey’s friend was in the tour van behind the one that crashed and witnessed it go off
the cliff.
“She saw it all happen which was not very nice for her at all.”

McConchie said her daughter sounded “very groggy” on the phone and she still did not know the full extent of her injuries.

She did not know if her daughter would be transported to Bali, or directly to Australia or New Zealand.

“If she stays there we will go over but she is being cared for very well by her friend who is travelling with her who is a nurse,” she said.

McConchie said she had received support from the Contiki tour company and the New Zealand Consulate.

She said she did not know if her daughter knew the New Zealander who had died.
“Abbey and her friend had just joined the tour so I’m not sure if they knew the person,” McConchie said.

“All I can say is, it is very sad.”

Contiki tour bus in Lombok, Indonesia falls off cliff: One dead, more injured

The tour company Contiki is very well known in Australia and NZ.
I have done two Contiki tours but it's the first time I've read of a death, very unfortunate.