Backpacker, 22, dies and friend seriously injured after Jeep crashes into lamppost in rain on Thai island of Phuket

A BACKPACKER has been killed on a dream round-the-world trip after crashing her rented Jeep into a lamppost.

Ali Lambert, 22, was driving the pink off-road vehicle with friend Nezi Borislavova, 25, in the passenger seat during heavy rain on Thai holiday island Phuket.

She smashed into a lamppost then skidded out of control down a steep embankment - flipping the Jeep several times leaving it ''completely destroyed''.

Ali, originally from Vancouver, Canada, died at the scene.

Professional dancer Nezi was rushed to hospital with severe internal injuries, two broken shoulders, a broken arm and broken wrist.

Distraught father Doug said it was ''every parent's worst nightmare''.

He said: ''Ali had texted us the morning of the drive, and was excited to announce to her mother that she was in a bright pink jeep. She told us '…and Mom I wish you were here with us.''

Doug said the Jeep was an ''awful wreck'' and Ali was non-responsive when she was taken to the hospital.

He paid tribute to a ''real alternative kid'' who was an ''artist and adventurer at heart.''

''We're never going to be the same, but we're going to get through this.

''Ali chose a different path for herself. We're just very glad we got to know her for 22 years,'' he added.

"From what I hear, Nezi will be okay.

"She has a couple of broken bones but she does not have medical insurance.

"Ali didn't have a return ticket booked."

According to her Facebook page, Nezi works as an "exotic dancer and model".

In an online profile she said she also worked as a pole dancer and said she planned to be in Phuket until February 2.

Ali had been travelling through Europe and then Vietnam before arriving in Thailand on January 1.

She met up with Nezi during the trip and rented a Jeep to drive to Bangkok before flying to New Caledonia and Australia.

Ali had been using the Jeep for several days before it spun out of control in heavy rain shortly after crossing the Sarasin Bridge linking the island to the main land last week.

The heartbroken family now have to raise money to fly back Ali's body to Canada.

It comes just days after a Brit backpacker was killed and three others injured when their tourist plane plummeted onto a remote Australian beach in front of horrified onlookers.

Earlier this month Brit traveller Abigail Louise Brown was tragically found hanged in her apartment in Phuket by her boyfriend.

And businessman Tony Kenway, originally from Southampton, was executed in broad daylight after leaving the gym by a gunman in Pattaya, Thailand.

Nezi - who is understood to have had no travel insurance - has had surgery and is being treated at a hospital in Bangkok after being transferred there.

Abdominal surgery has stemmed internal bleeding and a portion of her large intestine has been removed.

Pals have so far raised $40,000 - almost £25,000 - to cover medical bills and travel expenses to fly her home.

Nezi's friend Pat Parenteau said: ''Nezi has limited resources through her family, so we are asking for people's support to bring her home.