Thursday, October 17, 2013

Friends remember Melbourne woman who died in Nepal as caring and ambitious - Herald Sun



Marina Muchnik, from St Kilda East, was killed in a bus crash in Nepal.


Marina Muchnik, from St Kilda East, was killed in a bus crash in Nepal. Source: Supplied




A MELBOURNE woman who died in a nightmare bus plunge in Nepal has been remembered as an "ambitious girl" who cared deeply for others.



Marina Muchnik, 32, was among 20 passengers on a minibus when it plummeted into the Trishuli River en route to Kathmandu on Monday evening.


Hours before her death the St Kilda East woman reflected thoughtfully on her travel experiences in a Facebook post that was shared by her friends following the tragedy.


"We travel to learn; and I have never been in any country where they did not do something better than we do it, think some thoughts better than we think, catch some inspiration from heights above our own," Ms Muchnik said on Monday.


Nepalese woman Nita Poudel, 22, was also killed, while nine others were injured in the horror plunge.


Local authorities today confirmed to the Herald Sun they were still searching for 11 missing people, including a number of young children.


Local news reports suggested the bus, which was travelling from Narayangadh, may have been speeding before the fatal crash.



Marina Muchnik, from St Kilda East, was killed in a bus crash in Nepal.


Marina Muchnik, from St Kilda East, was killed in a bus crash in Nepal. Source: Supplied



Ms Muchnik had left Melbourne for Nepal three weeks earlier after taking up an interest in trekking.


In a statement from her formal school, Beth Rivkah Ladies' College in St Kilda, Ms Muchnik was described as being the "life of the party, always making others laugh with her infectious, happy nature."


"She was an ambitious girl with profound empathy who cared for the poor and unfortunate - people and animals. From the final images of her active and fruitful life, she is seen feeding underprivileged, starving children in Nepal," school principal Rabbi Yehoshua Smukler said.


"Her tragic and untimely passing, far from home, has exacerbated the shock and trauma for her family and loved ones."


Kathmandu-based Rabbi Chesky Lifshitz flew to the crash site by helicopter to prevent Ms Muchnik's cremation - which is against Jewish law - to negotiate her body's return to Australia for a Jewish burial.



Marina Muchnik, from St Kilda East, pictured with a boy she met on her travels.


Marina Muchnik, from St Kilda East, pictured with a boy she met on her travels. Source: Supplied



The school also praised the Australian Government in assisting the return of Ms Muchnik's body in accordance with Jewish culture.


Rabbi Smukler said the school, along with Ms Muchnik's classmates, would be launching fundraisers to pay tribute to her memory.


"These projects will memorialise her passion, and continue her dream of assisting those who are less fortunate," he said.


Her family was too distraught to speak today.


Friends took to the tragic traveller's Facebook page to pay tribute to her.


"Your abundance of humility and lack of prejudice towards others will be missed," Avinash Mahendran posted.


"Whatta legend on top of the world! RIP Marinka, we'll see you when we get there! (sic)," Alec K Madruski said.


angus.thompson@news.com.au



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