A young British woman has been killed in Australia just months after her 21st birthday - and before she was due to fly back to see her family.

Annie Evans-Lewis, 21, was driving ahead of her boyfriend Cai James, 22, when she smashed into a tree suffering a catastrophic brain injury.

Doctors believe she may have suffered a seizure at the wheel. 

Heartbroken Cai - who set off with Annie for their dream of travelling - said: 'My heart is in a thousand pieces'.

He held Annie's hand as she passed away in hospital on May 23.

The couple had flown 9,200 miles to follow their dreams of travelling and went on to work on a farm in East Pingelly, near Perth.

Annie's mother Angharad is now battling to raise £35,000 to fly her daughter's body home to Llanybri, Carmarthenshire.

Angharad said: 'She was a live wire. She loved being outside. She loved life.

'She travelled to New Zealand and came home but wanted to travel again and expand herself, so they went to Australia.

'I just want her to come home to us now so we are going out tomorrow.'

Angharad said Annie was driving her when she swerved and hit a tree and died from her injuries later the same day.

 Angharad said Annie, who turned 21 in February, had been due to come home to Wales for a short visit in July.

She was able to be with her beloved daughter in her final moments via Facetime - which she said had been some comfort.

Annie's cousin Scott Davies, who was like a 'big brother' to Annie, managed to get to the hospital in time.

Angharad said: 'Cai went with her to the hospital. Cai was lying next to her and Scott was holding her hand. They hooked us up on Facetime so we were there. She was just so peaceful and beautiful.'

Animal lover Annie, who studied mechanics at college, met Cai 'on a tractor' at a friend's farm.

Angharad and aunt Tanya Davies are now flying out to Australia and want to support Cai who has been 'amazing.'

Tanya said: 'As far as we know she collided with a tree. She was driving. Cai was two minutes behind her.

'They were both driving in separate cars. They had been out for lunch. Cai dropped Annie to get her car and he followed in his car with a friend behind them.

'For reasons unknown Annie's car left the road and collided with a tree. She did have a seizure, the consultant said, but she had a catastrophic brain injury and blood loss.

'Around 45 medical and emergency staff came to the scene and Cai was with her. She was taken to Royal Perth Hospital.'

Paying tribute, boyfriend Cai said young couple had talked of growing old together.

He said: 'When you came into my life I instantly thought you were special, your strong attitude straight away got me addicted.

'You are the most beautiful lady I've ever seen, you were perfect in every single way.

'We often said we couldn't wait to grow old together and be grandparents watching our family enjoy what we built together. Without you I don't know what to do anymore.'

 Angharad said only child Annie had survived leukaemia and a ruptured kidney when she was a small child - but she always lived life to the full.

The family fundraiser has raised more than £31,000.

In a tribute, the appeal said: 'The pain being felt by all who knew her and loved her dearly is indescribable.

'Annie was a beloved daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, cousin, girlfriend, and a friend to many. She will always be remembered as the most energetic, chaotic, hilarious, loving, kind and down to earth person.'

Police in Australia are appealing for witnesses.