Czech gymnast dies in tragic fall near Neuschwanstein Castle

A professional gymnast tragically died while taking a selfie at a castle in Germany.

Natalie Stichova, a 23-year-old Czech athlete, was visiting the castle that inspired Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty when she fell near Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany, on August 15.

She reportedly fell 80 metres down the Tegelberg while trying to take a photo for Instagram. A friend of Natalie's told local media that she was standing near the edge when she slipped.

The friend stated: “She fell from a height of about 80 meters. We will never know if she slipped or if a piece of the rock edge broke off.”

Natalie was with two friends and her boyfriend David at the time of the fall. Police described the climb as difficult. Local media reported that Natalie survived the fall but suffered life-threatening injuries. She was flown to hospital by helicopter and taken off life support a few days later after suffering irreversible brain damage. She was pronounced dead on August 21.

Her club, Sokol Pribram Sports Gymnastics, expressed its grief, saying: “It is with deep sadness that we announce that our wonderful friend, gymnast, representative and coach Natalka Stichova has left us forever due to a tragic accident. She lost her fight for life on August 21 at 5:30 am.

Natalka always had a smile on her face throughout her short life and that is how we will always remember her. We send our deepest condolences to her family and close friends and send them strength and support. To honor Natalka's memory, please light a candle in our gymnasium.”

Her mother added: “There is no one who didn't love her. Our Natálie was the sweetest person.”

This is not the first tragic incident at Neuschwanstein Castle. In June last year, 31-year-old Troy Bohling was convicted of raping and murdering 21-year-old Eva Liu. He had thrown her into a ravine along with her friend Kelsey Chang, 23.

Bohling convinced the women to join him at a vantage point before launching his attack. While both women were taken to hospital, Eva could not be saved and succumbed to her injuries. Chang survived and Bohling was sentenced to life in prison in March of this year.

The Bavarian police explained: “The man then used a pretext to lead the two onto a path that was difficult to see and which leads to a viewing point. Based on current knowledge, it must be assumed that this was an attempted sexual offence against the 21-year-old.”

Police spokesman Holger Stabik added: “The younger of the two women was attacked by the suspect. The older woman tried to rush to her aid, was strangled by the suspect and then pushed down a slope.”