WA: WA woman killed in Spain while cycling

AAP General News (Australia)
04-08-2010
WA: WA woman killed in Spain while cycling

PERTH, April 8 AAP - A Perth woman killed when an allegedly drunken van driver ploughed
into a pack of cyclists in Spain was a strong supporter of human rights, Oxfam says.

Chanelle Carter, 34, was one of a group of 60 cyclists hit by a van while cycling in
Tarragona, in Spain's northeast on Wednesday.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said consular staff from the Australian
embassy in Madrid were assisting her family in Perth, who had been notified of Ms Carter's
death by West Australian police.

Spanish news website El Mundo reported two Swiss nationals were also injured.

Local police have charged the 57-year-old driver of the van with reckless homicide
and injury, alleging he was under the influence of alcohol about noon when the collision
occurred, the website said.

Oxfam Australia executive director Andrew Hewett said Ms Carter was a strong supporter
of the charity organisation, who dedicated her time, money and talents to help poor people
around the world.

"Over the years she participated in a number of Oxfam fundraising events including cycling
through Laos in 2006," Mr Hewett said.

"She had a particular interest in human rights, indigenous issues and environmental concerns.

"The death of a person like Chanelle is a great loss for so many."

Ms Carter was a senior research scientist in the global technology delivery arm of
Alcoa's refinery at Kwinana, south of Perth.

AAP ah/ldj/tr

KEYWORD: CYCLIST WRAP

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