Last update - 00:00 25/01/2008
Australian Jewish student leader dies in Petra accident
By Cnaan Liphshiz, Haaretz Correspondent
A young leader of the Australian Union of Jewish Students died on Tuesday in Jordan following an accident, the organization said.
David Burnett, 22, was on a trip to Petra, the renowned archaeological site of the ancient Nabateans, when he slipped and fell to his death.
Burnett, who was AUJS vice-president last year, had just completed working as a group leader on an AUJS Israel Taglit-birthright Israel program. He was visiting Petra with a friend.
Forensic tests showed Burnett died after suffering multiple head injuries, the state-run Petra news agency quoted local medical sources as saying.
The Australian media reported Burnett was an activist in the Australian Labor Party, and had campaigned for Prime Minister Kevin Rudd during last year's election.
"David was an inspiration to all who knew him and will be greatly missed. AUJS extends its deepest condolences to all his family and friends," the organization said.
Frank Stein, director of the Zionist Federation of Australia Israel Office, told Haaretz that Burnett's family is handling the burial arrangements.
Burnett's body, which is currently in Amman, will be sent for burial in the coming days, Stein said.
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