A 23-year-old Czech gymnast, Natalie Stichova, tragically lost her life after falling 260 feet down a mountain while taking a selfie during a sightseeing trip to Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany, the inspiration for Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty.
The incident occurred on August 15 near Tegelberg Mountain in Bavaria. Stichova was reportedly standing close to the edge of the mountain when she slipped and fell while attempting to capture a photo.
A friend of Stichova’s revealed in an interview with Czech media that the young woman was accompanied by two friends and her boyfriend, David, at the time of the accident. Police described the route as a “challenging climb.”
Despite initially surviving the fall with severe injuries, Stichova was later taken off life support on August 21 after doctors confirmed irreversible brain damage.
Natalie Stichova was a prominent sports figure in the Czech Republic and frequently shared photos of her adventures on social media, often showcasing herself atop mountains in her workout attire.
In a statement, her club, Sokol Pribram Sports Gymnastics, expressed their condolences to Stichova’s family and friends, offering their support during this difficult time.
