An American tourist plunged around 1,000ft to her death after reportedly stepping off a mountain path to take a picture. Michelle Alejandra Rubio Leiva, 36, was visiting the Italian Dolomites with members of her family when the accident happened. The Florida resident was hiking near Forcella Pordoi, above Canazei in northern Italy, when she reportedly left the marked path to take a photograph from a panoramic spot.
Ms Leiva then lost her footing on an exposed section of the mountain and fell. Her family, including her sister, witnessed the accident. Ms Leiva’s sister alerted the emergency services, according to reports, and rescuers rushed to the scene.
A mountain rescue worker who was already in the area reached Ms Leiva before a rescue helicopter arrived. Medical staff were lowered onto the mountainside, but they were unable to save Ms Leiva.
She was pronounced dead at the scene. Her relatives were flown by helicopter to the nearby town of Canazei while her body was recovered from the mountain.
According to Italian news outlet il Dolomiti, the family had planned to take a cable car up Sass Pordoi to Rifugio Maria, with the accident happening around 200 metres from the station. The cable car provides access to the top of the mountain, but the trail in the area can be difficult because of its steep incline and loose gravel.
The family was at an altitude of around 2,750 metres, or roughly 9,000ft, when Ms Leiva fell.
The highest mountain in the range is Marmolada, which reaches 3,343 metres, or around 10,964ft, above sea level.
According to the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Ms Leiva was born in Guatemala and later became a resident of Florida.
She graduated from Brigham Young University and had worked in communications, marketing and business development.
Ms Leiva had also spent time volunteering for a number of different projects.
