A tourist plunged hundreds of metres to her death after reportedly stepping away from a mountain path to take a photograph.
Michelle Alejandra Rubio Leiva was exploring the Italian Dolomites with relatives when tragedy struck.
The 36-year-old American reportedly left the marked route to reach a panoramic spot near Forcella Pordoi, above Canazei in northern Italy.
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She then lost her footing and fell from an exposed section of the mountain at an altitude of approximately 2,750 metres, as reported by Need To Know.
Local reports said the fatal fall happened in front of Michelle’s horrified relatives, including her sister.
Witnesses raised the alarm shortly before midday on Saturday (17 October).
Trentino Alpine and Speleological Rescue Service said Michelle fell approximately 300 metres.
The emergency service confirmed that its Alta Val di Fassa team and an air ambulance were dispatched after the 112 control centre received the call.
A mountain rescuer who was already nearby reached the scene and supplied the helicopter crew with the precise coordinates.
Medical personnel were lowered onto the mountainside at around 12.30pm, but a doctor pronounced Michelle dead at the scene.
Her relatives were flown to Canazei during the recovery operation before her body was taken from the mountain on a subsequent helicopter flight.
It was then handed to the Carabinieri and fire service, according to rescuers.
The operation ended at around 2.30pm.
Michelle, who lived in Florida, had travelled across the Atlantic for a family holiday in the Trentino region.
The group was reportedly close to the upper cable-car station and had intended to visit the Maria refuge on Sass Pordoi.
Michelle moved away from the path to reach one of the area’s viewpoints before falling approximately 200 metres from the station, according to local outlet Il Dolomiti.
The official rescue account does not state that she had been taking a photograph, saying only that she slipped at an exposed point while holidaying with her family.
Forcella Pordoi lies in the Sella mountain group and is surrounded by the dramatic rock faces for which the UNESCO-listed Dolomites are famous.
Michelle worked in communications, marketing and business development and had professional links to the Miami area.
She was also reported to have attended Brigham Young University between 2008 and 2012 and participated in volunteering projects.
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