ALMOST €45,000 was raised over the weekend to bring the body of a woman killed in a car crash in Australia back to Ireland.

Amy Gill (23) from Co Mayo was fatally injured in the two-car collision last week in Melbourne.

The Kiltimagh native had moved to Melbourne in January with her friends and had recently started working on a tomato farm.

Her cousins set up a GoFundMe at the weekend to repatriate her remains and are said to be “devastated” after her tragic death.

“Amy’s family are completely devastated with the loss of Amy and are desperately trying to get her home to Coolaght Claremorris as soon as possible,” a family member wrote.

“There are massive fees and costs associated with getting Amy home, and we, Amy’s cousins, are asking you for your help in funding this.  We know that Amy’s immediate family will not rest until they have Amy back home in Ireland.”

The fundraiser surpassed the €15,000 goal yesterday to the “great relief” of Ms Gill’s family, who thanked the public for their generosity.

“We never imagined last Friday evening, on setting up this page, the tremendous support we have received over the past 48 hours. Thank you to everybody – friends, neighbours, family, people we do not even know – for helping us at this most difficult time,” they said.

“The unbelievable support and generosity from all of you has given Amy’s parents and sisters some comfort in knowing they will have Amy home as soon as possible now.”

The donations, which tallied at €44,000, will be transferred to The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, with the remaining funds going towards her funeral arrangements.

Speaking with Independent.ie on Friday, Amy’s friend Nicole Williams described her as a “gentle soul”.

“Amy was the nicest, caring and genuine person. She had such a pure and gentle soul, and would do anything to help you, whenever it was,” she said.

“Our hearts were broken when she told us her plans to move to Australia, and even more so when we heard that she had been taken so tragically. 

“I don’t think anyone who knows who will ever forget about her, and she will always be missed and in our thoughts.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs said last week that it is aware of the incident and is providing consular assistance to the family.

• Read more: ‘She had such a pure and gentle soul’ – tributes paid to Irish woman (23) killed in car collision in Australia

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