A young Christchurch woman who was killed in a car accident in Australia was about to get engaged.

Ally Stowe, 27, died after she crashed into a tree on a country road in Quindalup, Western Australia, about 7.30pm last Friday.

Friend Georgina Drury, who had known the victim for 17 years, said Stowe was driving home from work when the accident happened.

"She had stayed late at work to help and was driving back home. It was pretty bad weather that night; the conditions were not good,'' she said.

"We think that's why it happened. We're told it was instant, at least."

Drury and Stowe grew up together, attending Beckenham School and Cashmere High School.

Stowe moved to Western Australia in 2008 and her friend followed her across the Tasman a few years later.

Stowe had been living in Busselton with her partner, originally from Greymouth. They had just bought a house together and were thinking about getting married, Drury said.

"She was an amazing person; very giving and funny. She was always thinking of other people rather than herself," Drury said.

- © Fairfax NZ News