THE family of Caroline Stuttle, the York teenager murdered while backpacking in Australia, said today they would "never get over it".

Caroline, 19, a former York College student who lived in Huntington Road, had been staying in the town of Bundaberg, in Queensland.

Her body was found under a bridge on Wednesday night. Detectives believe she may have been robbed and thrown from the 65ft high structure.

Her devastated father, Alan Stuttle, who runs an art gallery in Micklegate, said he last saw Caroline just before she flew to Australia.

"I'll never get over it and neither will her mother or close friends," he told the Evening Press from his home in Scarborough.

"She was a wonderful daughter - a credit to us and herself - just wonderful. It has been a very, very painful day.

"She had just got her university papers through.

"It's an awful thing to live with for the rest of our life.

"I can't believe she died all for the sake of her handbag and mobile phone."

Meanwhile, police in Australia were today hunting for a man seen walking behind Caroline shortly before she was thrown from the bridge. They believe the teenager was robbed while returning to a caravan park after phoning her boyfriend in York - and then hurled to her death.

Queensland Police today issued an E-fit and description of a solidly-built white man, aged 25 to 30, with collar-length brown hair.

A police spokeswoman said he was seen walking behind Caroline on the bridge by the female witness who first alerted police to Wednesday's crime.

The woman, who has not been named, rang police when she heard a scream. A post-mortem examination was being carried out today.

Caroline had been touring Australia for the last two months with school friend Sarah Holiday, 20, who is being comforted by police.

Sarah raised the alarm when her friend failed to return to the Riverdale Caravan Park, where they were staying.

Officers discovered the teenager's body around 10.30pm local time, close to the River Burnett which is crossed by the the road bridge.

Queensland Police said there was no evidence the tourist had been sexually assaulted, shot or stabbed.

Her mobile phone and handbag were missing and her sandals were on the opposite bank of the river, police said.

Caroline had planned to start a psychology course at Manchester University later this year. She wanted to pursue a career in forensic medicine. Her brother, Richard, 24, who is currently working as a chef at holiday chalets in the French Alps, was told the tragic news and was expected to fly home last night.

In an interview with backpackers, local Queensland newspaper The Courier-Mail was told the bridge area in Bundaberg was "notorious for assaults and robberies at night and most locals and long time visitors avoided it".

Late this afternoon Caroline's parents issued a joint statement, saying: "We are just stunned and devastated by what has happened. It is so hard to believe that a young life has been taken in this way.

"Caroline was a wonderful daughter, so full of fun and energy, and she had worked so hard to earn this opportunity to travel and experience life in another part of the world. She was so excited before she left.

"Now it hurts so much it seems that nothing can take away the pain.

"We would like to express our thanks for all the cards, flowers and messages of condolence we have received from all over the world. It helps to know that we are in people's thoughts and prayers."

Marjorie said: "I know Alan and our son Richard would like to go out to Australia but I can't face it at the moment. I will do eventually because I want to share and experience the things Caroline experienced, but right now I couldn't stand the pain."

She asked for the family to be left with some privacy "so that we can grieve for the daughter we are missing so much".

Updated: 10:52 Friday, April 12, 2002