Young Brighton woman dies on holiday after falling 98ft from waterfall

A young Brighton resident has died after falling from a waterfall in front of her friend.

Valentina Stragliotto, 27, sustained catastrophic injuries after reportedly losing her footing while standing on a boulder.

The incident occurred on 24 September near the popular Sri Lankan tourist town of Ella. Local media reports, citing police, identified the location as Kithal Ella waterfall.

Italian media reported that Ms Stragliotto plummeted more than 98 feet (30 metres) in full view of the friend with whom she was holidaying.

Police said that she was visiting the waterfall when she slipped and struck rocks below.

Rescuers brought her to Demodara Hospital with severe injuries, but she was pronounced dead shortly after arriving.

Ella Police are investigating the circumstances of the fall.

Ms Stragliotto was originally from Bassano del Grappa, in Italy, but had lived in Brighton for several years.

Her professional profile described her as a senior search engine optimisation and online advertising specialist.

She was also a certified confidence coach and ran Aligned & Free, a business helping people overcome self-doubt and become more assertive at work.

She had spoken at the BrightonSEO conference and served on the British Interactive Media Association’s Young Talent Council.

She had also worked as a group travel coordinator for WeRoad, although the Sri Lanka holiday was reportedly a private trip rather than one she was leading.

Her company profile said that she had visited 33 countries and spoke French, Italian, English and Spanish.

Describing her love of the outdoors, Ms Stragliotto wrote: “My place is in nature.

“I love hiking and climbing and I especially love waterfalls.”

She also listed climbing, dancing, and discovering different cultures among her passions, adding that she was “always up for an adventure or a good party”.

Tributes have since been paid to the keen traveller, who had also competed in gymnastics and tennis while growing up in Italy.

Former classmate Rafael Marchese said news of her death had left him “speechless” and filled with “great sorrow”.

A colleague at WeRoad said the team was “shocked” by the tragedy.

Bassano del Grappa mayor Nicola Finco also offered his condolences to Ms Stragliotto’s family.

He said the death of a young person was a “deep wound” for the whole community.

Ms Stragliotto’s parents, Fabio Stragliotto and Barbara Zarpellon, said that they did not feel able to speak publicly during this “difficult” period.