A pro gymnast fell to her death while taking a selfie during a visit to the castle that inspired Disney’s Sleeping Beauty, it has been reported.
Czech athlete Natalie Stichova, 23, died six days after she plunged nearly 262 ft down Tegelberg Mountain in Bavaria, Germany, on 15 August.
The tragic fall reportedly took place near the picturesque Neuschwanstein Castle, as she was trying to take a picture.
A friend of Natalie’s said that she had been standing very close to the edge of the mountain when she slipped while setting up the shot in front of the castle.
The friend, who wished to remain anonymous, said: ‘She fell from a height of about 80 metres. We will never find out whether she slipped or whether a piece of the rock edge broke off.’
The young woman was accompanied by two friends and her boyfriend, David, when the incident happened.
Police described the route as a ‘challenging climb’.
Local media reported that Natalie initially survived the harrowing fall with grave injuries, and was swiftly airlifted to the hospital by helicopter.
Her family took her off life support due to irreversible brain damage on 21st August.
Natalie was a well-known sports star in her home country and had recently started training junior athletes herself.
Her club, Sokol Pribram Sports Gymnastics, expressed their sorrow in a statement obtained by Newsflash: ‘With deep sorrow, we announce that our wonderful friend, gymnast, representative, and coach, Natalka Stichova, has left us forever due to a tragic accident.
‘She lost her fight for life on 21st August at 5:30am.
‘Natalka spread smiles throughout her short life, and that is how we will remember her forever.
‘We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and close friends, sending them strength and support.
‘To honor Natalka’s memory, you are welcome to light a candle at our gymnasium.’
Her mother said: ‘There is no one who didn’t love her. Our Natálie was the sweetest person.’
It is the second fatal fall at the historic Neuschwanstein Castle after Troy Bohling, 31, raped and murdered 21-year-old victim Eva Liu and threw her and her friend Kelsey Chang, 23, into a nearby ravine in June last year.
Bohling, from Lincoln Park, Michigan State, USA, reportedly persuaded the two women to join him at the scenic viewing point when he turned on them, ripping off Eva’s clothes and trying to rape her.
Both women were rushed to hospital, but Eva died from her injuries. Bohling was sentenced to life for murder and rape in March this year.
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