Woman, 36, falls 1,000 feet to her death in Italy after stepping off path to take photo

Woman, 36, falls 1,000 feet to her death in Italy after stepping off path to take photo Michelle Alejandra Rubio Leiva reportedly lost her footing and fell from an exposed section of the mountain at an altitude of about 2,750 metres - the incident occurred in front of her family A tourist has died after falling hundreds of metres from a mountain. She had stepped away from a path to take a photograph, losing her footing before the tragic fall. Michelle Alejandra Rubio Leiva, 36, was exploring the Italian Dolomites with relatives when the incident occurred. The American tourist reportedly left the marked route to reach a panoramic spot near Forcella Pordoi, above Canazei in northern Italy. She reportedly lost her footing and fell from an exposed section of the mountain at an altitude of about 2,750 metres. Local reports said the fatal fall occurred in front of Michelle's relatives, including her sister. Witnesses raised the alarm shortly before midday on Saturday, October 17. The emergency service confirmed that a team and an air ambulance were dispatched after the control centre received the call. A nearby mountain rescuer 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. Trentino Alpine and Speleological Rescue Service said Michelle fell approximately 300 metres. Her relatives were flown to Canazei during the recovery operation before her body was taken from the mountain by helicopter. The operation ended at around 2.30pm. Forcella Pordoi lies in the Sella mountain group and is surrounded by the dramatic rock faces for which the Dolomites are famous.