A former Worcester schoolgirl killed during a freak accident in New Zealand was a "bright, clever and intelligent" woman.

Emily Jordan became trapped between rocks and drowned while "riverboarding" in the Kawarau River Gorge near Queenstown on New Zealand's south island.

Yesterday, as her parents Chris and Sarah prepared to fly out to New Zealand from their home in Trimpley, near Bewdley, a friend paid tribute to the 21-year-old law graduate.

"She was bright, she was clever, she was intelligent and so warm as a person," he said.

"Family pull together at a time like this. In a way, talking about it was helping them come to terms. It is very unreal."

Meanwhile, Emily's father said: "Emily was a very special person. We will be arranging the funeral when we get back next week.

"Her peers from university will be there - she touched their lives, she changed their lives."

Miss Jordan - who leaves an 18-year-old sister Lucy and a 24-year-old brother Alex - went to New Zealand on Sunday, February 3, with her boyfriend to go travelling for six months.

On Tuesday she went riverboarding - riding a body board on fast-flowing rapids - with the Mad Dog River Boarding Company.

The group was in a gorge when she became trapped between rocks in the middle of the river. Guides struggled to free her for 20 minutes before taking her to the riverbank where they tried to resuscitate her.

Since the tragedy, the company has cancelled all trips until further notice. Miss Jordan was a student at the Alice Ottley School in The Tything, Worcester, now known as RGS Worester and the Alice Ottley School (RGSAO), where she achieved A-Levels in economics, history, Spanish and general studies.

One of her teachers at the school, Jo Marsh, said: "Emily was full of life, she relished challenges and took advantage of all the opportunities that were open to her.

"She was loved by pupils and staff alike and will be sadly missed. Our thoughts are with her family, especially her younger sister who was also a pupil here."

Miss Jordan left Alice Ottley in 2004 and went to Swansea University to study law. In her final year she captained the women's lacrosse team and in July last year graduated with a first class honours degree.

Her personal tutor at university Dr Bebhinn Donnelly said: "We are extremely saddened to hear of Emily's tragic death and we extend our most sincere sympathy to her family and friends.

"Emily was an outstanding student, who always gave her best efforts to her studies, graduating with a first class degree last July.

"She was a very pleasant, friendly person who was well-liked and respected by staff and students."