The teenager died in a two-vehicle crash in NSW's south east. About 11.40am the Hyundai hatchback in which she was travelling along the Monaro Highway towards Cooma collided with a Toyota Land Cruiser four-wheel-drive coming in the opposite direction. The accident occurred about 10km south east of Cooma. The driver and sole occupant of the Hyundai, an 18-year-old female German national living in the ACT, was trapped for some time before being released by NSW Ambulance paramedics. She was taken by ambulance to Cooma Hospital. The driver and sole occupant of the Toyota, a 68-year-old man, was not injured. Inquiries into the cause of the collision are continuing. Police will prepare a report for the Coroner.

According to the German consulate, the woman, born in 1991, had only just started her studies at the university. Her parents have been notified of their daughter's death, however, her name has not yet been released.

An ANU spokesman said, "The University is trying to confirm the student’s details and circumstances of the tragedy and is, of course, desperately concerned. As soon as the University receives any information it will set in place whatever resources it can to support the student’s family and friends.”