Mother of Melbourne student Kristi Kafcaloudis, who fell from the Trolltunga cliff in Norway last Sunday, has mourned the loss of her “much-loved” daughter in a public statement.
“We are only consoled by the fact that Kristi was doing what she loved with her friends and living a life full of adventure and dreams,” she said.
“But we are mortified by the loss of such a talented and lovely young woman with her whole life before her.”
Ms Kafcaloudis expressed concern for her daughter’s friends who were with her at the time, who “no doubt share our sense of disbelief at such a sudden and traumatic loss”.
She thanked the Red Cross rescue teams and police for their efforts to retrieve her daughter from difficult terrain.
Monash University has extended its support to the Kafcaloudis family and offered to liaise on arrangements.
“Our deepest sympathies are extended to her family, her colleagues and friends during this tragic time,” said a Monash spokesperson.
The rector at the University of Bergen, Dag Rune Olsen, also released a statement: “Rector and university management were informed by the police of the tragic accident at Trolltunga in Odda, western Norway, on Sunday morning 6 September, that Australian exchange student Kristi Kafcaloudis had died after a fall.”
“It is with great sadness that we learn that one of our international students has died,” Mr Olsen said, adding that everyone’s thoughts are with the family and friends of the student.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is providing consular assistance. The Tenants Union in Fantoft, Bergen held a memorial service and a wake for Kristi on Thursday.
“TU Fantoft encourages all residents at Fantoft to join and let’s mourn the passing away of Kristi. You may not know her, but she was part of our little Fanthof family,” they wrote on their Facebook page.
Source: ABC, Facebook