Kristi Kafcaloudis, a 24-year-old exchange student from Monash University, fell to her death last Sunday while hiking in Norway.
Kristi, originally from Yandina, Queensland, was attending the arts and science faculty at the University of Bergen.
The accident occurred during a visit to Hordaland county, a mountainous region with spectacular scenic cliffs.
Kristi was with two friends last Saturday when she reportedly lost her balance, falling from the Trolltunga (troll’s tongue) rock formation that juts out 700 metres above Lake Ringedalsvatnet.
According to local media, Kristi asked someone to photograph her while standing on the edge of the rock when she lost her balance.
A search team hiked for hours up steep terrain to reach her body, which was flown to Odda Hospital.
Kristi’s mother Milli said her daughter was trying to walk around a group of tourists who were taking photos at the site, rather than taking one herself.
“It was an accident. She was nowhere near the end of the rock – and not taking a selfie,” Mrs Kafcaloudis said in a statement.
“Apparently there were a lot of people on the rock that weekend, and Kristi was waiting about two metres out on the rock to come back to rejoin her two friends who were walking ahead … but the rocks were loose and she lost her balance and fell.”
Norwegian authorities are still completing their final reports of the investigation.
Thomas Ruud, the owner of Trolltunga Adventures, who specialises in guided treks in the area, says he had been expecting tragedy to strike at the popular tourist spot.
“This is a pretty ‘new’ attraction spread by social media,” he said, adding that many inexperienced people were doing the trek – “both in physical form and some [with] clothing/shoes you wouldn’t believe”.
Mr Ruud said there had been numerous rescues at the site in recent years and that it would be impossible to install fences at 700-metre drop.
“[Tourists] have started to bring tents because they want the sunset and rise, and people [are] drinking and getting out on the cliff,” he said.
“This is why we have been waiting for something like this to happen.”
It is yet to be confirmed when Kristi’s body will be returned to Australia. The Kafcaloudis family have appealed for privacy as the family grieve.
Source: NRK, ABC, The Guardian