THE BODY OF the 23 year old Irish backpacker who died in a scuba diving tragedy in Australia is due to arrive back in Ireland today.

Elaine Morrow, from Ballintra in Co. Donegal, was taking part in an introductory diving course at Langford Island in the Whitsundays off the coast of Queensland on 18 April when she got separated from the group and failed to resurface.

The NUI Maynooth biology graduate had been in Australia just three months. She had travelled there on a one year working holiday visa, working in Sydney for a short time before heading to the Whitsundays for a break. Staff at a cafe in Sydney where she worked described her as “lovely and easy going”.

The Irish Times reports that a private funeral will be held on Thursday afternoon, after a wake for family and friends on Wednesday. It’s reported that some of her former classmates who are living in Australia helped with the arrangements to bring her body home.

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can make sure we can keep reliable, meaningful news open to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.

Support us Learn More

Body of Donegal backpacker to arrive home from Australia after diving tragedy

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.